BY  THEIR  PRACTICAL  OPERATIONS  AND  OPPOSIT1 


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isdom 


BRIEF  ILLUSTRATION 


PRirCULES  OF 


SHOWING  THE  RUINOUS  POLICY  OF  THE  FORMER,  AN1) 
THE  SUPERIOR  EFFICACY  OF  THE  LATTER,  FOR 
NATIONAL  PROTECTION  AND  DEFENCE; 

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CLEARLY  MANIFESTED 


UPON  NATIONS,  KINGDOMS  AND  PEOPLE. 

Ir&V  • :-;'H  : 


>m  is  belter  thaa  weapons  of  war. — Solomon 


JXI954 
1154 


. 

« 

jM?  - ; ALBANY: 

by  PACKARD  AND  VAN  BENTHUYSEfif. 


18$1. 


JXI954 
. Lib4 


f 


. 


* 


A 


BRIEF  ILLUSTRATION 


OF  THE  PRINCIPLES  OF 

WAR  and  PEACE, 


SHOWING  THE  RUINOUS  POLICY  OF  THE  FORMER,  AND 
THE  SUPERIOR  EFFICACY  OF  THE  LATTER,  FOR 
NATIONAL  PROTECTION  AND  DEFENCE  ; 

CLEARLY  MANIFESTED 


BY  THEIR  PRACTICAL  OPERATIONS  AND  OPPOSITE  EFFECTS 
UPON  NATIONS,  KINGDOMS  AND  PEOPLE. 


BY  PHILANTHROPOS. 

Will i am  ''Ladd 


Wisdom  is  better  than  weapons  of  war. — Solomon. 


ALBANY: 

PRINTED  BY  PACKARD  AND  TAN  BENTHCYSEN. 


1831. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


https://archive.org/details/briefillustratioOOIadd 


PREFACE. 

Shortly  after  the  conclusion  of  the  late  war  in  America, 
and  the  general  peace  of  Europe,  which  succeeded  it,  the 
minds  of  many,  in  both  countries,  were  led  to  reflect  on  the 
subject  of  war  principles,  and  to  examine  and  compare  their 
nature  and  effects  with  those  of  the  principles  of  peace.  The 
result  has  been  an  increasing  conviction  of  the  unchristian 
character,  and  ruinous  policy  of  war,  in  all  its  attendant  con- 
sequences ; and  of  the  beneficial  effects  of  pacific  principles, 
with  a firm  persuasion  of  their  natural  tendency,  and  supe- 
rior efficacy,  in  securing  the  defence  and  protection  of  na- 
tions, and  promoting  the  best  interests  of  mankind. 

Such  convictions  have  led  to  the  publication  of  many 
valuable  essays  on  these  subjects,  and  to  the  formation  of 
many  peace  societies  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  particu- 
larly in  England  and  the  United  States.  The  avowed  ob- 
ject of  these  societies  is,  to  turn  the  attention  of  mankind  to 
a serious  consideration  of  these  things. 

Among  the  variety  of  publications  issued  from  the  press, 
under  the  authority  of  these  societies,  may  be  noticed  some 
valuable  periodicals.  The  Friend  of  Peace,  a very  useful 
work  published  in  Boston,  under  the  auspices  of  “ The 
Massachusetts  Peace  Society,”  has  had  an  extensive  circu- 
lation for  about  thirteen  years,  and  has  produced  much  con- 
viction respecting  the  pernicious  effects  and  unchristian 
character  of  war,  especially  in  the  New-England  States. 
This  has  been  succeeded  by  the  Harbinger  of  Peace , pub- 
lished in  New-York,  under  the  direction  of  “ The  American 
Peace  Society,”  which  tho  small,  is  ably  conducted,  and 
bids  fair  to  effect  much  good.  The  Herald  of  Peace , pub- 
lished in  London,  by  “ The  society  for  promoting  perma- 
nent and  universal  peace,”  is  a valuable  and  interesting 
work,  upon  a larger  scale,  and  we  are  informed  that  it  has 
a very  extensive  circulation,  and  has  produced  the  most 
beneficial  effects,  especially  in  the  British  dominions. 

These,  with  many  other  valuable  productions  on  the  un- 
christian character,  and  destructive  nature  and  effects  of 
war,  and  the  salutary  and  beneficent  effects  of  peace,  have 
spread  much  light  on  these  subjects,  and  effected  a great 
change  in  public  opinion,  and  appear  to  have  made  no 
small  impression  on  the  minds  of  many  statesmen  and  ru- 
lers. 


IV 


But  among  all  these  essays,  we  have  never  seen  any 
work  in  which  is  embodied  a connected  series  of  the  effects 
of  war,  from  the  earliest  ages  to  the  present  time  ; together 
with  proofs  of  the  practical  results  of  pacific  principles,  drawn 
from  historical  facts.  By  the  former,  a fair  view  might  be 
taken  of  the  baleful  influences  and  destructive  consequences 
of  war,  in  all  ages,  clearly  proving  from  undeniable  authority, 
that,  in  the  issue,  it  has  generally  failed  of  its  professed  ob- 
ject ; and  by  the  latter,  it  might  be  seen  that  the  principles 
of  peace  have  always  been  productive  of  the  best  good  to 
man  ; and  have  ever  been  far  more  efficacious  than  war,  in 
securing  the  defence  of  nations  and  people,  and  obtaining  the 
blessing  and  protection  of  Divine  Providence. 

We  do  not  flatter  ourselves  that  this  small  essay  is  fully 
entitled  to  the  claim  of  such  a work,  as  above  described : 
but  merely  a humble  effort  towards  it.  Such  as  it  is,  we 
present  it  to  the  public,  with  a hope  that  it  may  be  produc- 
tive of  some  good  to  our  fellow  men,  in  turning  their  atten- 
tion to  the  consideration  of  the  important  cause  of  “Peace 
on  earth,  and  good  will  towards  men;”  confidently  believ- 
ing that  a general  diffusion  of  the  knowledge  and  benign  in- 
fluence of  these  principles,  will  be  productive  of  greater  hap- 
piness and  prosperity  to  the  human  family,  than  all  other  ef- 
forts of  philanthropy  that  have  ever  been  made  by  man. 

We  have  taken  considerable  pains  to  ascertain  the  general 
correctness  of  the  historical  events  which  we  have  produc- 
ed. The  well  known  discrepancies  between  the  accounts  of 
different  historians,  render  it  difficult  to  ascertain,  with  pre- 
cision, the  accuracy  of  some  particular  incidents  which  are 
mentioned  ; but  the  general  substance  so  far  as  relates  to  the 
great  object  in  view,  we  think  cannot  be  disputed,  being  too 
well  authenticated  by  .the  concurring  testimony  of  general 
history. 

The  field  of  labor  is  boundless  ; and  the  powerful  predi- 
lection which  prevails  in  favor  of  the  war  system,  and  its 
almost  universal  popularity,  seem  loudly  to  demand  the  com- 
bined and  ceaseless  efforts  of  every  friend  of  man,  to  counter- 
act its  baneful  influence,  by  disseminating  the  principles, 
and  advancing  the  work  of  peace.  And  tho  we  feel  im- 
pressed with  a desire  to  contribute  our  mite  in  support  of 
the  glorious  cause  ; yet  we  confidently  hope,  ere  long,  to  wit- 
ness the  united  efforts  of  more  able  philanthropists,  who  are 
better  qualified  to  do  justice  to  this  important  subject. 


BRIEF  ILLUSTRATION,  &c. 


INTRODUCTION. 

Their  feet  are  swift  to  shed  blood;  destruction  and  misery  are  in  their 
ways,  and  the  way  of  peace  have  they  not  known.  Rom.  hi.  15. 

Ever  since  the  first  murderer  imbrued  his  hands  in  the 
blood  of  his  brother,  the  principles  and  practice  of  war,  in 
their  increasing  prevalence  through  the  world,  have  had  a 
most  powerful  and  delusive  influence  upon  the  human  race. 
A passion  for  military  fame,  like  an  inveterate  disease,  has 
long  pervaded  the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  inflamed  man- 
kind with  an  ardent  zeal  for  warlike  achievements.  Scarce- 
ly a country  can  be  found  which  has  not  been  more  or  less 
infected  with  the  war  mania , and  whose  inhabitants  have 
not,  at  some  period  or  other,  experienced  its  destructive  and 
horrid  effects.  And  yet  it  appears,  that  even  the  most  en- 
lightened and  influential  part  of  mankind,  have  been  so 
deeply  blinded  to  their  own  happiness,  and  the  happiness 
and  preservation  of  their  respective  countries,  that  they 
have  never  discovered  the  real  nature  and  tendency  of  that 
spirit  by  which  wars  are  produced ; and  therefore  the  real 
source  from  whence  they  originate,  has  been  but  little  con- 
sidered, and  still  less  understood. 

Kings,  princes  and  rulers — those  who  hold  the  reins  of 
government,  and  preside  over  the  destinies  of  nations,  all 
seem  to  have  been  astonishingly  blind  and  ignorant  with 
regard  to  the  necessity  or  policy  of  war.  Hence  it  is,  that 
the  spirit  and  principles  of  war  are  still  so  much  encoura- 

fed  and  promoted  in  the  world  ; and  hence  so  few  attempts 
ave  been  made  to  banish  the  fatal  illusion — to  put  an  end 
to  the  destructive  ravages  of  war,  and  promote  and  main- 
tain the  principles  of  peace  and  harmony. 

The  advocates  of  war  strenuously  urge  that  its  principles 
are  inherent  in  the  nature  and  constitution  of  man,  and  ab- 
solutely necessary  for  his  preservation  and  defence ; that 
wars  always  have  existed,  and  therefore  always  must  exist ; 
that  they  are  as  unavoidable  as  raging  storms  and  sweeping 
tornadoes ; and  that  any  attempts  to  abolish  the  practice  of 
war,  would  be  as  unavailing  as  an  attempt  to  oppose  the 
shocks  of  an  earthquake,  or  prevent  the  eruptions  of  a vol- 
cano. Hence  they  consider  war  as  an  unavoidable  and  ne- 
A2 


6 


eessary  evil , which  must  have  its  course.  Therefore,  in- 
stead of  trying  to  subdue  the  evil  by  diffusing  and  main- 
taining the  principles  of  righteousness,  justice  and  peace, 
they  must  encourage  and  maintain  the  destructive  and  con- 
taminating principles  of  war.  To  effect  this  object,  its 
popularity  must  be  promoted  and  encouraged  by  the  go- 
vernment ; the  art  of  war  must  be  made  a necessary  branch 
of  science,  and  the  youth  of  nations  professing  the  harm- 
less religion  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  must  be  instructed  in 
it,  in  order  to  enable  them  to  practice  this  necessary  evil 
against  their  fellow  men,  with  the  greatest  advantage,  un- 
der the  vain  pretence  of  defending  their  country  and  protect- 
ing; its  rights. 

O O t 

This  erroneous  policy,  the  effect  of  popular  delusion,  has 
long  been  considered  as  the  best  policy  of  nations,  and  the 
most  essential  part  of  a national  education.  Not  only  the 
maxims  of  government,  but  even  the  sacred  principles  of 
religion,  have  been  made  to  bend  to  this  fatal  policy.  And 
so  long  as  this  policy  prevails,  and  is  encouraged  and  sup- 
ported by  the  rulers  and  leading  characters  of  nations,  its 
popularity  will  be  maintained,  and  wars  will  continue. — 
Could  nations  be  brought  to  see  the  delusive  nature  and  ten- 
dency of  war,  and  be  convinced  of  its  mistaken  policy,  as 
well  as  of  its  horrid  injustice  and  inhumanity,  even  in  a po- 
litical point  of  view,  would  they  be  willing  any  longer  to 
hazard  their  national  happiness  and  prosperity  to  the  delu- 
sive and  uncertain  game  of  war,  at  such  incalculable  ex- 
pense ? And  could  they  believe  (what  calm  and  unbiassed 
reason  must  acknowledge)  that  the  best  policy  of  a nation 
is  to  cultivate,  maintain  and  diffuse  the  principles  of  peace 
and  good  will  towards  all  men,  would  they  not  readily  ex- 
ert all  their  energies,  and  improve  every  means  to  effect  an 
object  so  desirable,  so  truly  wise  and  beneficent  ? 

Can  we  reasonably  suppose  that  honest,  benevolent  and 
humane  rulers  of  any  nation,  after  a candid  and  impartial 
investigation  of  the  history,  nature,  character  and  conse- 
quences of  war,  in  all  ages,  would  not  be  convinced  that 
wars  and  war-like  principles  and  preparations,  so  far  from 
ensuring  protection  and  defence,  or  even  producing  any  sub- 
stantial benefit  to  a warring  nation,  have,  in  the  final  issue, 
invariably  operated  to  the  contrary,  and  proved  the  cause 
of  destruction  and  ruin,  especially  to  those  nations  who 
have  carried  the  profession  of  arms  and  war  to  any  great 
extent  ? And  would  it  be  possible,  after  such  investigation, 


for  any  but  demoniacs  or  madmen,  to  wish  to  maintain  such 
horrid  and  destructive  principles  and  practices  ? 

But  the  generality  of  mankind,  blinded  by  popular  opin- 
ion and  long  established  custom,  are  led  to  suppose  that 
wars  are  necessary  and  unavoidable,  without  bestowing  a 
single  reflection  upon  their  erroneous  policy,  and  their  inhu- 
man and  unchristian  character.  But  let  a general  and  im- 
partial examination  of  the  subject  take  place  ; let  its  real 
nature,  character  and  tendency  be  fully  displayed  in  their 
true  colors  ; and  let  the  erroneous  and  blind  p flicy  be  clearly 
seen  ; and  its  popularity  would  soon  be  lost,  and  all  its  daz- 
zling splendors  would  be  viewed  in  their  naked  and  odious 
deformity,  by  every  truly  benevolent  and  rational  mind. 

It  must  be  admitted  that  wars  have  existed  ever  since 
pride,  lust  and  ambition  have  been  the  ruling  passions  in 
man  ; nor  can  it  be  disputed  that  all  wars  proceed  from  the 
indulgence  of  these  passions.*  But  shall  we  infer  from 
thence  that  wars  are  necessary,  and  must  always  exist  ? — 
We  might  with  equal  propriety  suppose  that  the  passions 
of  pride,  lust  and  ambition,  were  originally  created  of  God, 
and  by  him  designed  forever  to  be  the  ruling  principles  of 
the  world : for  nothing  short  of  this  supposition,  can  afford 
any  argument  to  prove,  that  because  wars  have  always  ex- 
isted, they  must  always  be  continued.  And  if  these  pas- 
sions were  created  of  God,  for  this  express  purpose,  why 
have  they,  in  all  ages,  been  so  pointedly  reproved  by  the 
revelation  of  God,  and  the  testimony  of  divine  truth. 


* See  James  iv.  1,  2 and  3. 


PART  I 


MILITARY  PRINCIPLES  AND  OPERATIONS  OF  ANCIENT 
NATIONS  THE  CAUSE  OF  THEIR  RUIN. 

WARS  BEFORE  THE  FLOOD. 

Before  the  flood  of  Noah,  “ God  saw  that  the  wicked- 
ness of  man  was  great  in  the  earth,  and  that  the  earth  was 
filled  \'nth  violence  through  them.'n  This  was  the  great 
cause  of  the  flood.  Commencing  with  unbridled  lust, 
giants  in  wickedness,  if  not  in  stature,  were  produced,  who 
through  pride  and  ambition,  soon  filled  the  earth  with  vio- 
lence : for  these  “ became  mighty  men  which  were  of  old, 
men  of  renown.”  Proud  of  their  power  and  strength,  and 
glorying  in  their  skill  and  dexterity  in  handling  the  weapons 
of  destruction,  and  ambitious  to  become  men  of  renown, 
they  exerted  their  power  and  talents  over  their  fellow  men, 
and  became  famous  and  mighty  in  human  butchery.  And 
even  to  this  day,  all  those  mighty  men  of  renown,  who  glory 
in  military  fame,  have,  in  like  manner,  continued  to  fill  the 
earth  with  violence. 

These  antediluvian  warriors,  to  accomplish  their  ambi- 
tious views,  and  become  men  of  renown,  evidently  gave 
full  scope  to  their  unbridled  passions  : “for  all  flesh,”  ac- 
cording to- the  sacred  record,  “had  corrupted  his  way  upon 
the  earth — and  the  earth  was  filled  with  violence  through 
them.”  It  is  unreasonable  to  suppose  the  earth  could  be 
filled  with  violence  without  war  and  contention,  in  some 
shape  or  other ; and  it  is  evident  that  these  things  were  the 
cause  of  the  flood.  It  must  certainly  argue  the  height  of 
blindness  and  folly,  in  any  rational  man,  to  believe  that  a 
just  and  righteous  Being  would  create  those  passions  in  man, 
which  have  a natural  tendency  to  produce  war  and  violence, 
for  the  express  purpose  of  filling  the  earth  with  these  evils  ; 
and  then  to  destroy  the  human  race  because,  in  obedience 
to  these  passions,  they  had  done  what  the  Creator  really 
intended  they  should  do.  Such  injustice  never  came  from 
Heaven. 

The  account  we  have  of  the  wars  before  the  flood,  tho’ 
very  short,  is  certainly  very  comprehensive  and  instructive. 
The  first,  and  the  very  beginning  of  wars,  was  that  bloody 
and  successful  war  which  the  valiant  Cain  waged  upon  his 
brother  Abel,  to  revenge  the  great  affront  hte  had  received, 
in  consequence  of  God’s  having  respect  to  Abel’s  offering 


9 


and  not  to  his  own.  So  the  offence,  whether  real  or  sup- 
posed, was  revenged  upon  poor  Abel,  tho  he  was  by  no 
* means  guilty  of  any  injury  towards  his  vindictive  brother ; 
because  the  respect  shown  to  Abel’s  offering,  and  withheld 
from  Cain’s,  was  from  God,  and  not  from  Abel.  There 
are  probably  very  few  to  be  found,  at  the  present  day,  even 
among  the  advocates  of  war,  who  would  attempt  to  vindi- 
cate the  spirit  and  temper  of  Cain,  or  to  justify  his  conduct ; 
yet  the  war  he  waged  against  his  brother,  was  doubtless  as 
reasonable,  and  as  necessary,  as  most  of  the  wars  that  have 
been  waged  by  human  authority  since  that  period. 

After  this  victory  over  his  brother,  we  understand  that 
this  victorious  warrior  became  a mighty  man  of  renown, 
and  built  a city.  This  was  doubtless  the  first  city,  and  pro- 
bably the  first  separate  state  or  empire  that  was  ever  found- 
ed upon  earth.  Josephus  says,  u Cain  augmented  his 
household  substance  with  much  wealth,  by  rapine  and  vio- 
lence ; he  excited  his  acquaintance  to  procure  pleasures  and 
spoils  by  robbery,  and  became  a great  leader  of  men  in  wick- 
ed courses.”  [See  Jos.  Ant.  b.  i.  ch.  2.] 

We  also  learn,  that  the  example  of  this  murderer,  this 
mighty  man  of  renown,  became  very  contagious,  and  was 
soon  followed  by  his  posterity,  who,  it  appears,  were  as  am- 
bitious to  become  men  of  renoAvn,  as  he  had  been.  It  also 
appears  that  Lamech,  one  of  Cain’s  offspring,  following  his 
example,  made  war  upon  some  of  his  fellow  men,  and  slew 
one,  if  no  more  of  them.  Tubal-Cain,  the  son  of  Lamech, 
was  an  artificer  in  brass  and  iron,  and  is  said  to  have  been  the 
first  in  venter  of  the  sword . J osephus  says , “ he  exceeded  all 
men  in  strength,  and  was  very  expert  and  famous  in  martial 
performances.” — “Nay,  even  while  Adam  was  alive,  it 
came  to  pass  that  the  posterity  of  Cain  became  exceeding 
wicked,  every  one  successively  dying,  one  after  another, 
more  wicked  than  the  former.  They  were  intolerable  in 
war,  and  vehement  in  robberies ; and  if  any  one  were  slow 
to  murder  people,  yet  was  he  bold  in  his  profligate  beha- 
viour, in  acting  unjustly,  and  doing  injuries  for  gain.”  [Jos. 
Ant.  b.  i.  ch.  2.] 

It  appears  evident  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  were 
soon  divided  into  separate  clans  or  tribes,  which  being 
led  on  by  some  of  these  mighty  men  of  renown,  waged 
war  upon  each  other.  And  no  doubt  they  thought  them- 
selves fully  able  to  justify  the  violent  part  they  took  in 
these  wars,  contentions  and  murders,  upon  the  plea  of  ne- 
cessity, to  defend  themselves  and  their  property  ; or  to  re- 


10 


venge  or  prevent  some  real  or  supposed  injury  ; or  to  ob- 
tain glory  and  renown ; just  as  modern  wars  are  now  justi- 
fied and  rendered  popular.  Without  some  such  plea  of  jus- 
tification, the  horrid  principles  and  destructive  terrors  of 
war,  could  never  have  become  so  popular  as  to  fill  the  earth 
with  violence,  especially  at  such  an  early  period. 

But  with  all  their  wars  and  violence  against  each  other, 
were  any  of  them  able  to  save  themselves  from  destruc- 
tion ? Did  they  not,  by  these  means,  bring  destruction  up- 
on themselves  and  each  other  ? Were  not  their  wars  and 
violence  the  very  cause  of  their  destruction  ? Yea,  verily : 
for  in  consequence  of  having  corrupted  the  earth,  and  filled 
it  with  violence , they  were  suddenly  arrested  in  their  career, 
when  all  the  glory  of  these  “ mighty  men  of  renown”  was 
swept  away  with  the  flood.  What  then  availed  their 
mighty  deeds  of  corruption  and  violence,  but  to  show  that 
“mighty  men  shall  be  mightily  punished  ?” 

In  the  destruction  of  the  old  world  by  a flood  of  waters, 
and  the  cause  of  that  destruction,  (as  given  in  the  sixth 
chapter  of  Genesis,)  we  have  a concise  account  of  the  ori- 
gin of  war  and  its  effects.  It  is  there  said,  “ God  saw  that 
the  wickedness  of  man  was  great  in  the  earth. — And  God 
looked  upon  the  earth,  and  behold  it  was  corrupt ; for  all 
flesh  had  corrupted  his  way  upon  the  earth.  And  God  said 
unto  Noah,  The  end  of  all  flesh  is  come  before  me  ; for  the 
earth  is  filled  with  violence  through  them ; and  behold,  I 
will  destroy  them  with  the  earth.” 

Hence  it  is  clearly  evident  that  corruption  and  violence, 
which  have  their  consummation  in  war,  were  the  great  cau- 
ses which  brought  destruction  upon  the  old  world.  This 
corruption  and  violence  originated  in  lust  and  pride,  which 
produced  an  ambitious  desire  to  gain  distinction  among  their 
fellow  men.  And  by  indulging  these  corrupt  passions  and 
propensities,  they  continually  grew  more  corrupt,  and  in- 
creased in  acts  of  violence  to  such  a degree,  that  Divine  Jus- 
tice could  no  longer  endure  their  corruption  and  violence ; 
and  hence  they  were  swept  from  the  face  of  the  earth. 

Had  we  the  names  of  those  antediluvian  heroes,  who 
were  the  most  highly  distinguished  among  those  “ mighty 
men  of  renown,”  who  filled  the  earth  with  corruption  and 
violence,  together  with  a particular  account  of  their  heroic 
deeds,  we  should  doubtless  find  them  worthy  to  be  classed 
with  Alexander,  Caesar,  Napoleon,  and  all  those  mighty 
madmen,  whose  deeds  of  murderous  chivalry  have  been  a 
greater  curse  to  the  human  race,  than  all  the  earthquakes 


11 


and  volcanic  eruptions  that  ever  took  place  since  the  crea- 
tion of  the  world.  The  heroic  exploits  of  these  antedilu- 
vian warriors,  had  they  been  left  on  record,  would,  in  all 
probability,  be  as  well  worth  publishing,  as  examples  of 
military  prowess,  for  the  instruction  of  the  youthful  mind, 
in  the  arts  of  corruption  and  violence,  as  the  bloody  deeds 
of  any  modern  heroes  who  have  followed  their  examples, 
and  walked  in  the  same  bloody  footsteps.  And  why  should 
they  not  ? They  were  led  by  the  same  spirit,  and  actuated 
by  the  same  passions,  and  their  deeds  of  corruption  and  vio- 
lence were  doubtless  of  a similar  kind.  And  as  to  the  ne>- 
cessity  or  justice  of  those  ancient  wars,  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  the  warriors  of  those  days  were  as  firmly  per- 
suaded on  1 that  point,  as  our  modern  warriors  possibly  can 
be,  with  regard  to  the  necessity  or  justice  of  any  of  the  wars 
of  the  present  day ; otherwise  their  wars  could  not  have 
been  rendered  so  popular  as  to  fill  the  world  with  violence, 
at  so  early  a period.  The  truth  is,  the  war-makers  of  eve- 
ry age  think,  or  pretend  to  think,  their  own  wars  just  and 
necessary,  while  they  invariably  condemn  the  wars  of  their 
enemies. 

But  a just  and  impartial  view  of  all  wars  will  show  that 
they  proceed  from  the  same  malignant  passions,  and  are  na- 
turally attended  with  the  same  destructive  consequences, 
according  to  their  magnitude ; and  that  their  ultimate  effect 
has  been  to  corrupt  the  morals  of  the  people,  and  bring  the 
judgments  of  God  upon  the  nation,  in  some  way  or  other, 
till  in  the  end  they  have  been  swallowed  up  in  ruin.  A 
serious  investigation  of  these  things  will  clearly  show, 
that  many  of  those  terrible  convulsions  of  nature,  which 
are  attended  with  such  destructive  and  melancholy  effects, 
are,  in  reality,  the  just  judgments  of  God  upon  man,  for  his 
corruption  and  violence ; like  the  flood  of  Noah,  and  the 
destruction  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah.  Hence  it  must  ap- 
pear reasonable  to  believe  that,  if  these  corrupt  passions 
were  once  effectually  subdued,  all  wars  would  cease,  and 
we  should  no  longer  have  cause  to  apprehend  any  danger 
from  those  convulsions  of  nature,  which  have  so  often  terri- 
fied and  swept  away  the  inhabitants  of  the  land. 

But  the  great  objection  against  cultivating  the  spirit  of 
peace,  is  still  of  the  same  nature  with  that  advanced  by  the 
Jews  of  old,  against  permitting  Jesus  Christ  to  preach  the 
gospel  of  peace  unmolested.  “ If  we  let  him  thus  alone,  all 
men  will  believe  on  him,  and  the  Romans  will  come  and 
take  away  our  place  and  nation.”  That  is  to  say,  if  they 


12 


should  suffer  the  principles  of  peace  to  prevail,  which  the 
doctrine  of  the  Savior  inculcated,  and  should  neglect  to  fol- 
low the  example  of  Cain  and  his  fighting  posterity,  they 
would  soon  be  overrun  by  warring  nations.  This  specious 
and  delusive  plea  is  the  very  prop  of  war  in  this  day.  The 
prevailing  maxim  is,  “ The  surest  means  of  preserving, 
peace,  is  to  be  prepared  for  war. — That  nation  which  neg- 
lects to  prepare  for  war,  invites  aggression,  and  exposes  it- 
self to  the  warlike  power  of  other  nations.”  But  an  im- 
partial review  of  the  history  of  all  ages,  will  prove  the  total 
fallacy  of  these  maxims. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  prove,  if  facts  can  prove  any  thing, 
that  wars  and  warlike  preparations,  instead  of  protecting  or 
defending  a nation,  have,  in  the  final  event,  had  a direct 
tendency  to  effect  its  ruin.  Every  nation,  however  great 
or  powerful,  which  has  relied  on  its  physical  strength  and 
martial  policy,  and  practiced  this  policy  for  protection  and 
defence,  has  been  signally  marked,  in  some  way  or  other, 
with  the  displeasure  of  heaven,  and  eventually  fallen  a vic- 
tim to  the  policy  of  war.  As  evidence  of  this,  we  need 
but  examine  the  history  of  wars  in  different  ages  of  the 
world,  and  observe  their  effects  upon  all  warring  nations. 

WARS  AFTER  THE  FLOOD. 

Although  the  flood  of  Noah  destroyed  the  ungodly  inha- 
bitants who  had  corrupted  the  old  world  ; yet  it  did  not  de- 
stroy those  ungodly  passions  which  were  the  cause  of  war 
and  violence.  It  could  hardly  have  been  supposed  that,  so 
soon  after  the  fatal  calamity  which  befel  the  old  world  for 
its  wickedness,  the  descendants  of  Noah  would  so  easily  have 
forgotten  that  awful  warning,  and  again  commenced  those 
scenes  of  violence  which  had  brought  destruction  upon 
their  ancestors.  But  so  it  proved  : for  they  soon  “ began 
to  be  more  ungodly  than  at  the  first.”  They  soon  began  to 
make  war  and  violence  an  honorable  employment. 

Shortly  after  the  flood,  we  find  that  Nimrod,  the  great- 
grandson  of  Noah,  “ began  to  be  a mighty  one  in  the  earth. 
— And  the  beginning  of  his  kingdom  was  Babel.”  Rollin 
considers  him  as  “ the  founder  of  the  first  Assyrian  Empire ;” 
and  says  he  certainly  was  a great  conqueror.*  It  appears 
that  in  the  beginning  of  his  career  of  renown,  he  was  dis- 
tinguished as  “ a mighty  hunter;”  and  from  his  great  fame 
and  success  in  hunting  wild  beasts,  it  was  natural  and  easy 


* Rollin,  b.  iii.  ch.  1. 


13 


for  him  to  obtain  followers,  and  seek  to  distinguish  himself 
in  hunting  the  human  race,  and  by  that  means  to  become 
“ a famous  conqueror,  and  a mighty  man  of  renown.” 

It  appears  that  this  “ mighty  hunter”  was  the  first  who 
was  honored  with  a statue,  and  had  a temple  erected  to  his 
memory.  Rollin  states  that  Ninus,  the  son  of  Nimrod, 
“ out  of  veneration  for  his  father,  was  willing  that  they  who 
had  served  him  as  their  king,  should  adore  him  as  their 
god,  and  induce  other  nations  to  render  him  the  same  wor- 
ship. For  it  appears  plainly  that  Nimrod  is  the  famous 
Belus  of. the  Babylonians,  the  first  king  whom  the  people 
deified  for  his  great  actions.  ” Thus  it  seems  that  this  Belus, 
also  called  Bel,  was  an  image  or  statue  erected  in  honor 
of  Nimrod,  that  mighty  conqueror,  that  he  might  be  adored 
after  his  death,  as  a god.  This  then,  was  the  origin  of  the 
practice,  still  in  use,  of  erecting  statues  to  idolize  sinful  mor- 
tals, and  perpetuate  the  deeds  of  bloody  conquerors  ; and  it 
appears  to  have  been  the  very  beginning  of  image  worship, 
and  was  most  probably  the  origin  of  idolatry. 

From  the  kingdom  founded  by  this  great  conqueror  and 
“mighty  man  of  renown,”  national  wars  and  popular  acts 
of  violence  doubtless  took  their  rise  after  the  flood.  Not 
many  ages  after  Nimrod  had  founded  his  empire,  it  appears 
that  a number  of  confederate  kings  of  that  country  extended 
the  ravages  of  war  into  the  land  of  Canaan.  The  kings  of 
Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  with  three  other  kings  of  that  coun- 
try, acting  upon  the  principle  of  self-defence,  opposed  this 
invasion  of  their  country.  But  not  being  able  to  defend 
themselves,  they  were  conquered  and  brought  into  bondage. 
But  their  pride  and  ambition  soon  led  them  to  rebel  against 
their  conquerors,  and  strive  for  the  mastery.  Relying  on  their 
own  valor  as  warriors,  they  doubtless  expected  to  gain  the 
victory ; but  they  were  disappointed . T heir  armies  were  de- 
feated, and  their  country  ravaged.  And  it  is  worthy  of  re- 
mark that  their  wars,  which  evidently  sprung  from  their 
pride  and  ambition,  finally  produced  among  them  such  a 
corruption  of  morals  and  manners,  as  to  bring  down  the 
judgment  of  Heaven  upon  them,  and  overwhelm  their  cities 
with  destruction.  The  iniquities  of  the  Sodomites  are  pro- 
verbial ; but  who  that  is  acquainted  with  the  degrading 
vices  common  in  modern  armies,  but  must  admit  that  they 
exceed  the  Sodomites  in  base  crimes  ? 

It  appears  evident  from  the  account  of  these  postdiluvian 
wars,  that  the  war  principles  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  so 
far  from  defending  them  from  their  enemies,  or  securing 

B 


14 


their  independence,  led  them  into  crimes  and  abominations 
which  completed  their  own  ruin,  and  the  destruction  of 
their  country. 

THE  KINGDOM  OF  EGYPT. 

We  will  now  take  a view  of  the  kingdom  of  Egypt. 
This  was  one  of  the  most  ancient  kingdoms  of  the  world. 
It  is  supposed  to  have  been  founded  by  Mizraim,  the  grand- 
son of  Noah.  For  many  ages  the  Egyptians  appear  to  have 
had  very  little  concern  in  wars.  During  this  period  they 
cultivated  the  arts  and  sciences,  brought  agriculture  to  great 
perfection,  and  made  many  great  and  useful  improvements 
throughout  their  country.  And  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that, 
while  they  cultivated  the  arts  of  peace,  and  did  not  use  their 
resources  for  the  purpose  of  war  and  violence,  they  were 
greatly  blessed  by  Divine  Providence.  Their  country  was 
rich  and  prosperous,  their  soil  was  remarkably  productive, 
and  from  its  extraordinary  fertility,  Egypt  was  considered, 
at  that  early  period,  as  the  granary  of  the  world.  Egypt 
was  not  then  a warlike  nation.  We  are  informed  by  Rollin 
that,  “ Its  inhabitants,  content  with  a country  which  abound- 
ed in  all  things,  had  no  ambitious  dreams  of  conquest.  The 
Egyptians  extended  their  reputation  in  a very  different  man- 
ner. They  triumphed  by  the  wisdom  of  their  counsels,  and 
the  superiority  of  their  knowledge ; and  this  empire  of  the 
mind  appeared  more  noble  and  glorious  to  them,  than  that 
which  is  achieved  by  arms  and  conquest.” 

Had  these  peaceable  and  virtuous  principles  continued  to 
govern  the  Egyptians,  in  all  succeeding  ages,  they  might 
have  continued  to  this  day,  equally  distinguished  and  happy. 
And  had  all  nations  been  governed  by  these  principles,  wars 
never  would  have  existed.  And  we  will  further  add,  as 
our  unshaken  belief,  that  were  a few  respectable  nations  to 
set  the  example  of  peace  before  the  world,  there  would  soon 
be  an  end  of  all  wars. 

But  the  Egyptians  having  become  rich  and  powerful, 
through  a long  period  of  peace  and  prosperity,  were  at  length 
exalted  by  pride  and  ambition,  and  began  to  corrupt  them- 
selves with  the  cruel  and  ferocious  principles  of  war,  to 
cultivate  the  military  arts,  and  to  practice  war  as  the  noble 
and  honorable  employment  of  a great  and  powerful  nation. 
Sesostris,  (supposed  by  some  to  be  the  father* *  of  that  king 

*Rollin  supposes  Sesostris  to  be  the  son  of  that  Pharaoh ; but  this  seems  hardly 
probable,  for  it  is  ascertained  that  the  power  of  Egypt,  for  a length  of  time,  declined 

• hi«  death. 


15 


Pharaoh  who  was  drowned  in  the  Red  Sea)  was  in  his 
youth,  by  order  of  his  father,  instructed  in  the  arts  of  war, 
together  with  a great  number  of  Egyptian  youths  of  his  own 
age,  who  afterwards  became  his  military  officers.  This  is 
the  first  account  we  have  on  record,  of  a military  school  in 
any  nation.  And  what  were  its  effects  ? They  were  evi- 
dently sufficient  to  plant  the  seeds  of  military  ambition  in  the 
mind  of  Sesostris,  and  lead  him,  and  consequently  the  nation , 
into  the  principles  and  practice  of  war.  And  the  like  effects 
may  naturally  be  expected  wherever  military  schools  exist. 
Leaving  the  improvements  of  his  own  rich  country,  and  its 
immense  privileges,  in  which  he  might  have  enjoyed  every 
advantage  that  nature  could  require,  Sesostris,  without  the 
least  appearance  of  provocation,  was  determined  to  prove 
his  military  skill,  and  try  the  fortune  of  war. 

After  invading  and  conquering  several  of  the  neighboring 
nations,  his  ambition,  inflated  by  success,  led  him  to  form 
a design  of  making  a conquest  of  the  world.  With  this 
view  he  went  on  to  make  the  requisite  preparations. 
“ His  army,”  says  Rollin,  ‘‘consisted  of  six  hundred  thou- 
sand foot,  and  twenty-four  thousand  horse,  besides  twenty- 
seven  thousand  armed  chariots.”  With  this  immense  army, 
he  rushed  like  a fury,  through  almost  all  parts  of  the  then 
inhabited  world,  conquering  and  despoiling  all  the  nations 
in  his  way,  till  at  length  his  career  was  stopped  by  famine. 
After  nine  years  of  ravage,  plunder  and  destruction,  he  re- 
turned to  Egypt,  laden  with  the  spoils  and  treasures  of  the 
conquered  nations.  Doubtless  the  destruction  of  property, 
occasioned  by  these  ravaging  wars,  was  immense ; but  the 
destruction  of  lives,  and  the  sufferings  and  misery  brought 
upon  families  and  individuals,  must  have  exceeded  all  cal- 
culation. It  is  stated  by  historians  that,  on  extraordinary 
occasions,  he  caused  the  kings  and  chiefs  of  the  conquered 
nations  to  be  harnessed  to  his  car,  instead  of  horses,  and  valu- 
ed himself  upon  being  thus  drawn  by  the  lords  and  sovereigns 
of  other  nations.  Such  were  the  effects  of  war  principles 
upon  an  ambitious  young  prince,  whose  mind  had  been  in- 
flamed with  a thirst  for  military  glory,  occasioned  by  his 
early  education  in  a military  school.  But  after  all  his  con- 
quests, this  vain  glorious  and  haughty  prince  was  struck 
with  blindness,  and  put  a period  to  his  own  life. 

Such  was  the  end  of  this  mighty  Egyptian  conqueror. 
Inflamed  with  a boundless  ambition  for  war  and  conquest, 
which  was  nourished  and  perhaps  generated  in  a military 
school,  he  was  the  first  to  attempt  universal  empire  by 


16 


means  of  human  butchery.  His  fate,  and  the  fate  of  many 
such  like  “ men  of  renown,”  who  have  pursued  the  same 
ambitious  course,  so  far  from  deterring  others  from  the  like 
pursuits,  seem  only  to  stimulate  them  in  the  wild  career  of 
war  and  devastation  ; as  tho  the  splendor  and  magnificence 
of  their  future  glory  depended  on  the  great  extent  of  destruc- 
tion and  misery  inflicted  on  their  fellow  creatures.  Such  is 
the  blind  infatuation  of  the  war  spirit,  and  such  the  short- 
sighted views  of  those  who  glory  in  military  achievements. 

In  the  reign  of  this  warring  prince,  the  Egyptians  rose  to 
a great  height  in  military  glory  and  renown  ; but  what  was 
the  consequence?  It  laid  the  foundation  for  their  destruction : 
for  from  this  time,  they  studied  and  practiced  the  arts  of 
war  more,  and  the  arts  of  peace  less.  They  grew  proud  and 
haughty,  and  increased  their  ambition  for  military  glory  and 
greatness.  Their  attention,  which  had  before  been  engaged 
in  agriculture  and  the  arts  of  peace,  was  now  turned  to  the 
erection  of  splendid  monuments  of  pride  and  ambition — form- 
ing military  establishments,  impregnable  fortresses,  and  the 
implements  of  death  and  destruction.  The  obelisks,  pyra- 
mids,* and  other  monuments  of  the  pride  and  folly  of  the 
Egyptian  kings,  as  described  by  historians,  show  the  im- 
mense riches,  and  the  astonishing  power  and  greatness  of 
that  mighty  nation. 

Besides  these  mighty  works  of  pride,  ambition  and  folly, 
some  of  their  cities  have  been  described  as  immensely  large 
and  populous.  “ Thebes,” says Rollin,  “might  vie  with  the 
noblest  cities  in  the  universe.  Its  hundred  gates,  celebrated 
by  Homer,  are  universally  known.  It  was  equally  large 
and  populous  ; and  according  to  history,  could  send  out  at 
once,  two  hundred  chariots,  and  ten  thousand  fighting  men, 
at  each  of  its  gates.”']'  This  city  was  also  called  jYo-Am- 
mon,  and  is  doubtless  the  same  referred  to  by  the  prophet 
Nahum,  under  the  name  of  JVo.  (See  Nahum  iii,  S.) 

Thus  it  appears  that  Egypt  was  a rich,  populous  and 
powerful  nation,  great  in  military  resources,  mighty  in  war, 
and  highly  exalted  in  pride  and  ambition.  But  her  wars 
proved  her  ruin ; they  were  the  means  of  engendering  the 
seeds  of  destruction  in  her  own  bowels.  Her  military  con- 
quests exalted  her  pride  and  self  importance.  Her  nume- 
rous armies,  accustomed  to  victory  and  plunder,  must  of 

* The  largest  of  these  pyramids  is  said  to  be  499  feet  high,  and  to  cover  more  than 
11  acres  of  ground,  and  to  have  employed  100,000  men  30  years  in  building  it.  It  is 
built  of  hewn  stone. 

f The  accounts  of  some  late  travellers  who  have  visited  its  ruins,  fully  confirm  its 
vast  magnitude,  and  tho  appearances  of  its  original  splendor  . 


17 


course  grow  haughty,  cruel  and  insolent.  The  crimes  of  war 
were  the  natural  consequence  of  her  victories ; and  the  im- 
mense spoils  of  which  she  had  robbed  other  nations,  could 
not  fail  to  introduce  extravagance  and  luxury.  Corruption, 
in  every  hideous  form,  followed  of  course.  Her  unjust  and 
unprovoked  invasions  of  the  rights  of  other  nations,  and  the 
heavy  contributions  and  annual  tributes,  unjustly  imposed 
on  them,  could  not  but  excite  in  them  a spirit  of  opposition, 
and  a desire  of  revenge , whenever  an  opportunity  offered . Of 
course  she  was  continually  embroiled  in  wars  with  the  sur- 
rounding nations,  which  were  attended  with  a constant  di- 
minution of  her  treasures,  destroyed  her  resources,  depopu- 
lated her  cities,  disaffected  her  subjects,  weakened  her  pow- 
er, created  dissensions,  broils,  mutinies,  jealousies  and  trea- 
cheries among  her  officers,  and  in  her  armies,  till  at  last  she 
was  overwelmed  with  the  wars  which  she  had  excited,  and 
sunk  into  ruin. 

Such  was  the  fate  of  a nation  once  powerful  in  war,  and 
rich  in  resources ; nor  could  all  her  vast  armies,  her  strength 
and  preparations  for  defence,  afford  her  any  protection.  And 
such  is  the  effect  of  the  spirit  of  war,  wherever  it  is  in- 
dulged and  carried  to  any  considerable  extent,  in  any  nation, 
however  strong  and  powerful. 

As  a further  evidence  of  the  pride,  ambition  and  self-con- 
fidence of  Egypt,  and  of  her  threatened  destruction  and  de- 
solation, for  her  numerous  and  extensive  crimes,  we  shall 
quote  the  testimony  of  the  Jewish  prophets,  who  foretold 
her  ruin,  which  was  evidently  the  effect  of  Divine  judgment 
upon  her.  The  prophet  Ezekiel  has  the  following  testi- 
mony. 

“ Son  of  man,  set  thy  face  against  Pharaoh  king  of  Egypt, 
and  prophesy  against  him,  and  against  all  Egypt.  Speak 
and  say,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God ; Behold  I am  against 
thee,  Pharaoh  king  of  Egypt,  the  great  dragon  that  lieth  in 
the  midst  of  his  rivers,  which  hath  said,  My  river  is  my 
own,  and  I have  made  it  for  myself. — Therefore  thus  saith 
the  Lord  God ; Behold  I will  bring  a sword  upon  thee,  and 
cut  off  man  and  beast  out  of  thee. — Behold  I am  againstthee, 
and  against  thy  rivers,  and  I will  make  the  land  of  Egypt  ut- 
terly waste  and  desolate,  from  the  tower  of  Syene  even  un- 
to the  border  of  Ethiopia — It  shall  be  the  basest  of  the  king- 
doms ; neither  shall  it  exalt  itself  any  more  above  the  na- 
tions : for  I will  diminish  them, that  they  shall  no  more  rule 
over  the  nations.”  And  again ; “ By  the  swords  of  the 
mighty  I will  cause  thy  multitudes  to  fall,  the  terrible  of  the 


B 2 


IS 


nations,  all  of  them  : and  they  shall  spoil  the  pomp  of  Egypt, 
and  all  the  multitude  thereof  shall  be  destroyed.”  (See 
Ezek.  xxix.  and  xxxii.) 

Thus  it  appears,  that  because  they  had  exalted  themselves 
in  their  pride,  and  carried  war  and  violence  among  the  nations, 
and  ravaged  and  destroyed  the  countries  around  them,  God, 
in  his  just  judgment,  was  about  to  suffer  other  nations  to  re- 
turn their  injuries  upon  their  own  heads. 

Again : The  prophet  Nahum,  in  prophesying  against  Nin- 
eveh, says,  “Art  thou  better  than  populous  No,  that  was 
situate  among  the  rivers,  that  had  the  waters  round  about 
it,  whose  rampart  was  the  sea,  and  her  wall  was  from  the 
sea  ? Ethiopia  and  Egypt  were  her  strength,  and  it  was  in- 
finite. Yet  was  she  carried  away,  she  went  into  captivity : 
her  young  children  also  were  dashed  in  pieces  at  the  top  of 
the  streets ; and  they  cast  lots  for  her  honorable  men,  and 
all  her  great  men  Were  bound  in  chains.”  (Nahum  iii.  8, 
9,  10,) 

Hence  it  appears,  that  altho  her  power  and  strength  was 
beyond  human  calculation  ; yet  she  was  brought  to  desola- 
tion and  ruin.  All  her  numerous  armies  and  military  pre- 
parations were  insufficient  to  save  her.  And  hence  we  may 
see  that  the  spirit  and  principles  of  war  and  military  forces, 
instead  of  protecting  and  defending  a nation,  have  a direct  ten- 
dency to  bring  about  its  ruin  and  destruction. 

As  the  Egyptians  had  greatly  afflicted  other  nations  ; so 
God  suffered  them  to  be  greatly  afflicted  in  their  turn. 
They  received  a full  measure  of  the  sufferings  they  had 
dealt  out  to  others,  and  that  without  the  possibility  of  ward- 
ing off  the  calamity.  The  strength  of  Egypt  was  gone  ; her 
cities  were  destroyed,  her  armies  vanquished,  her  riches  ta- 
ken away,  and  all  her  pride  and  vain  glory  levelled  with  the 
dust ; nor  was  she  ever  able  to  recover  herself.  For  more 
than  two  thousand  years,  she  has  not  had  a king  of  her  own, 
nor  been  able  to  maintain  an  existence  as  an  independent  na- 
tion ; but  the  desendants  of  that  nation  remain,  to  this  day, 
a degraded  and  miserable  race  of  beings,  governed  and  en- 
slaved in  their  own  country,  by  their  conquerors,  who  are 
still  their  masters. 

THE  ASSYRIAN  EMPIRE. 

In  tracing  the  course  of  ancient  warring  nations,  we  shall 
notice  the  Assyrian  empire,  as  the  next  in  order.  It  is 
needless  to  enter  minutely  into  the  history  of  this  empire : 


19 


but  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  founded  by  Ashur,*  the  son 
of  Shem  and  grandson  of  Noah.  Tho  doubtless  small  in  its 
beginning,  it  evidently  became,  in  time,  a very  rich  and  pop- 
ulous country,  mighty  in  war,  and  famous  for  its  military 
operations.  Its  capital  or  chief  city  was  Nineveh,  which 
stood  on  the  eastern  banks  of  the  Tigris. 

This  city,  according  to  the  accounts  of  historians,  was 
one  of  the  most  famous  ever  known  in  the  world.  Rollin 
makes  it  eighteen  miles  and  three  quarters  in  length,  and 
eleven  and  a quarter  in  width  ;*of  course  it  must  have  been 
sixty  miles  in  circumference.  The  height  of  its  walls  are 
said  to  have  been  two  hundred  feet,  and  sufficiently  broad 
to  admit  three  chariots  to  go  abreast  upon  them  with  ease. 
They  were  also  fortified  and  adorned  with  fifteen  hundred 
towers,  two  hundred  feet  higher  than  the  walls. 

It  is-  also  said  that  the  Assyrian  empire  was  so  populous, 
that  the  king  of  Nineveh,  after  having  finished  this  great 
city,  engaged  in  a war,  in  which  he  raised  an  army  of  seven- 
teen hundred  thousand  foot,  two  hundred  thousand  horse, 
and  about  sixteen  thousand  chariots,  armed  with  scythes. 
How  correct  this  statement  is,  we  are  not  able  to  say ; but 
it  is  beyond  all  doubt  that  Assyria  was  a very  populous 
country,  and  able  to  raise  immense  armies.  They  carried 
war  and  destruction  into  other  nations,  and  rendered  them- 
selves famous  by  their  numerous  conquests,  which  so  in- 
flated their  pride  that  they  considered  themselves  invinci- 
ble to  gods  and  men.j  But  they  finally  sunk  into  ruin  and 
infamy,  by  the  very  means  which  they  had  taken  to  raise 
their  fame  and  extend  their  power.  What  then  availed  all 
these  numerous  armies,  military  power,  and  warlike  prepa- 
rations of  Assyria?  They  served  only  to  exalt  her  pride 
and  ambition,  corrupt  her  moral  principles,  and  fit  her  for 
destruction. 

After  running  her  race  of  glory,  she  was  visited  by  aveng- 
ing armies,  and  compelled,  in  her  turn,  to  drink  deeply  of 
the  cup  of  calamity  which  she  had  so  often  dealt  out  to  other 
nations.  Notwithstanding  her  abundant  riches  and  mighty 
power,  and  her  boasted  confidence  in  her  own  strength,  her 
great  city  Nineveh  was  taken  and  destroyed,  and  her  name 
blotted  out  of  the  land  she  once  inhabited.  And  thus  was 
fulfilled  upon  her  the  testimony  of  the  prophet  Nahum. 

* Rollin  ascribes  the  foundation  of  this  empire  to  Nimrod, but  it  evidently  took  its 
name  from  Ashur,  and  we  read,  Gem  x,  11,  that  u Ashur,  builded  Nineveh.” 

t See  Isaiah  xxxvi.  18  to  21. 


20 


“ Wo  to  the  bloody  city ! it  is  all  full  of  lies  and  robbery. — 
The  horseman  lifteth  up  the  bright  sword  and  the  glittering 
spear ; and  there  is  a multitude  of  slain,  and  a great  number 
of  carcases ; and  there  is  no  end  of  their  corpses  ; they 
stumble  upon  their  corpses ; because  of  the  whoredoms  of 
the  well  favored  harlot,  the  mistress  of  witchcrafts,  that 
selleth  the  nations  through  her  whoredoms,  and  families 
through  her  witchcrafts.  Behold  I am  against  thee,  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts ; and  I will  cast  abominable  filth  upon  thee ; 
and  make  thee  vile,  and  will  set  thee  as  a gazing  stock-.  And 
it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  all  they  that  look  upon  thee  shall 
flee  from  thee,  and  say,  Nineveh  is  laid  waste ; who  will 
bemoan  her?  whence  shall  I seek  comforters  for  thee  ?” 

“Behold  the  gates  of  thy  land  shall  be  set  wide  open  unto 
thine  enemies : The  fire  shall  devour  thy  bars  ; there  shall 
the  fire  devour  thee  ; the  sword  shall  cut  thee  off ; it  shall 
eat  thee  up  like  the  canker  worm.  Thy  shepherds  slumber, 
O king  of  Assyria  ! thy  nobles  shall  dwell  in  the  dust : thy 
people  are  scattered  upon  the  mountains,  and  no  man  ga- 
thereth  them.” 

The  same  prophet  also  foretold  the  manner  of  her  fall. 
“With  an  overflowing  flood  he  will  make  an  utter  end  of  the 
place  thereof. — The  gates  of  the  rivers  shall  be  opened,  and 
the  palace  shall  be  dissolved . ” Accordingly,  when  the  time 
of  her  destruction  came,  a conspiracy  of  the  nations  was  form- 
ed against  her,  and  laid  siege  to  the  city.  But  the  inhabi- 
tants, relying  on  the  strength  of  their  walls  and  fortifications, 
shut  themselves  in. 

But  during  the  siege,  which  had  been  long  maintained, 
there  arose  a violent  inundation  of  the  river  Tigris,  which 
suddenly  undermined  her  walls,  and  threw  down  an  extent 
of  twenty  furlongs,  or  two  miles  and  a half ; and  by  that 
means  opened  a passage  into  the  city,  through  which  the 
enemy  rushed  in  upon  them,  and  massacred  the  inhabitants, 
who  lay  buried  in  drunkenness,  occasioned  by  a recent  vic- 
tory.* The  king  finding  himself  exposed,  and  seeing  no  way 
of  escape,  shut  himself  up  in  his  palace,  and  setting  fire  to 
it,  burnt  himself,  his  eunuchs,  his  women  and  his  immense 
treasures. | It  is  said  that  the  fire  continued  to  burn  fifteen 
days  before  it  was  extinguished. 

Thus  was  the  city  taken  and  the  palace  dissolved,  agree- 
able to  prophetic  inspiration.  With  all  her  great  riches, 

* So  ancient  pagan  warriors  celebrated  their  victories,  and  modern  Christian  war- 
riors still  follow  their  example. 

t Some  writers  have  estimated  these  treasures  at  1,400  million  sterling ; others 
make  them  amount  to  25,000  millions,  which  is  incredible  ; but  they  were  doubtless 
immense. 


21 


her  military  power,  her  warlike  preparations  and  defences, 
she  was  utterly  unable  to  withstand  the  judgments  of  Di- 
vine Providence,  or  to  defend  herself  against  her  enemies  in 
the  day  of  trial.  As  the  Assyrian  empire  had  risen  to  a 
great  height  in  military  power,  and  gloried  much  in  her  ex- 
tensive conquests  and  horrid  devastations  ; so  her  fall  was 
equally  great,  and  her  destruction  and  disgrace  equally  hu- 
miliating and  terrible. 

THE  BABYLONIAN  EMPIRE. 

The  Babylonian  empire  or  empire  of  the  Chaldeans,  of 
which  Babylon  was  the  capital,  is  supposed  to  have  been 
founded  not  long  after  the  flood.  Its  location  was  in  the 
land  of  Shinar,  where  the  builders  of  Babel  undertook  to  im- 
mortalize themselves  by  a lofty  tower  of  that  name.  The 
city  of  Babylon  is  supposed  to  have  included  the  spot  of 
ground  where  this  mighty  tower  was  attempted. 

This  empire  is  said  to  have  been  founded  by  Nimrod,  the 
mighty  hunter ; and  it  appears  to  have  been  an  empire  of 
hunters  and  warriors  for  many  ages,  by  the  many  conquests 
which  they  made  to  enlarge  their  empire,  and  extend  their 
power  and  authority.  In  the  height  of  their  glory  they  were 
evidently  a haughty,  ambitious  and  warlike  people.  Of  this 
the  city  of  Babylon  itself  was  a striking  proof.  Whoever 
may  have  been  its  first  founder,  it  was  undoubtedly  com- 
pleted by  Nebuchadnezzar,  who  was  the  great  military  hero 
of  this  nation,  and  whose  impious  pride  and  warlike  ravages, 
gave  him  an  ignominious  fame,  and  marked  him  as  a mighty 
madman  of  renown.  With  his  mighty  armies  he  ravaged 
many  of  the  fairest  portions  of  the  earth.  No  nation  could 
stand  before  him ; and  wherever  he  turned  his  arms,  destruc- 
tion and  desolation  followed  his  steps.  With  the  treasures 
and  spoils  of  conquered  countries,  and  the  labor  of  his  cap- 
tives, he  raised  the  city  of  Babylon  to  the  zenith  of  human 
glory  and  military  power.  Its  powerful  fortifications,  and 
wonderful  defences,  seem  to  have  been  carried  to  the  utmost 
stretch  of  art  which  that  age  had  acquired. 

The  city  was  built  on  the  banks  of  the  Euphrates,  and, 
as  represented  by  historians,  was  laid  out  in  a square  form, 
on  a large  plain,  extending  fifteen  miles  each  way.  Its 
walls  were  of  brick,  and  are  said  to  have  been  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  feet  high  and  eighty-seven  broad.  On  each 
side  were  twenty-five  gates  of  solid  brass,  amounting  to  one 
hundred  in  all.  Opposite  To  these  gates  were  twenty-five 


22 


streets,  which  ran  thro  the  city  each  way,  making  fifty 
streets,  each  fifteen  miles  in  length.  The  walls  were  sur- 
mounted by  a vast  number  of  towers ; these,  it  appears, 
were  designed  both  for  ornament  and  defence.  The  city 
was  surrounded  on  the  outside  with  a vast  ditch,  lined  with 
bricks  and  filled  with  water.  The  clay  for  the  bricks,  of 
which  the  city  walls  were  built,  was  taken  from  this  ditch ; 
of  course  the  ditch  must  have  been  very  broad  and  deep. 
A branch  of  the  river  Euphrates  was  carried  through  the 
middle  of  the  city,  from  north  to  south,  dividing  it  into  two 
parts.  On  each  side  of  the  river,  within  the  walls  of  the 
city,  was  a high  wall  of  the  same  thickness  with  those  of  the 
city.  In  these  walls,  opposite  to  every  street  that  led  to  the 
river,  were  gates  of  brass,  with  steps  descending  from  them 
to  the  river. 

We  have  given  but  a sketch  of  the  vast  strength  and 
magnificence  of  this  great  city;  and  this  we  have  done 
merely  to  show  how  weak  and  futile  are  all  human  attempts 
for  military  defence,  against  a power  seemingly  very  in- 
significant, when  Divine  Providence  has  determined  to 
bring  about  the  destruction  of  a wicked  nation. 

When  Cyrus,  king  of  Persia,  laid  siege  to  this  city,  it  had 
twenty  years  provisions  within  its  walls.  These,  with  the 
vast  strength  and  fortifications  of  the  city,  and  the  immense 
number  of  people  within,  prepared  for  its  defence,  gave  the 
Babylonians  great  confidence.  They  insulted  Cyrus  from 
the  top  of  their  walls,  and  laughed  at  all  his  attempts  to  con- 
quer them.  The  apparent  impossibility  of  his  taking  the 
city,  killed  them  into  perfect  security.  But  that  haughty 
nation,  who  had  acquired  great  military  renown  by  conquer- 
ing many  nations,  who  had  risen  to  the  height  of  military 
power,  through  blood  and  slaughter,  whose  great  success  in 
arms  had  exalted  her  pride  and  vain  glory  to  the  very  skies, 
whose  sacrilegious  robberies  and  heaven-daring  impiety  had 
almost  bid  defiance  to  the  throne  of  God,  and  whose  shame- 
ful scenes  of  debauchery,  obscenity,  iniquity  and  violence, 
had  sunk  her  to  the  lowest  depths  of  wickedness,  had  yet  to 
feel  the  frowns  of  Divine  justice,  and  learn  the  impotence  of 
her  boasted  power,  and  the  vanity  of  all  her  imaginary 
greatness  and  military  glory. 

As  the  taking  of  Babylon,  and  its  subsequent  destruction, 
were  remarkable  events  in  history,  and  as  these  events  were 
predicted  by  the  Jewish  prophets,  many  years  before  they 
took  place,  it  may  be  proper  to  quote  a few  of  the  remark- 
able passages  in  the  predictions  of  these  prophets,  and  see 
how  exactly  they  were  accomplished. 


23 


The  following  extracts  are  from  the  fiftieth  chapter  of 
J eremiah . ‘ ‘ Put  yourselves  in  array  against  Babylon  round 

about : all  ye  that  bend  the  bow,  shoot  at  her,  spare  no  ar- 
rows ; for  she  hath  sinned  against  the  Lord. — Behold,  I 
will  punish  the  king  of  Babylon  and  his  land,  as  I have  pun- 
ished the  king  of  Assyria. — I have  laid  a snare  for  thee, 
and  thou  art  also  taken,  O Babylon,  and  thou  wast  not 
aware : thou  art  found,  and  also  caught,  because  thou  hast 
striven  against  the  Lord. — Behold  I am  against  thee,  O thou 
most  proud,  saith  the  Lord  God  of  hosts  : for  thy  day  is 
come,  the  time  that  I will  visit  thee. — A sword  is  upon  the 
Chaldeans,  saith  the  Lord,  and  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Ba- 
bylon, and  upon  her  princes,  and  upon  her  wise  men. — A 
sword  is  upon  their  horses  and  upon  their  chariots,  and  upon 
all  the  mingled  people  that  are  in  the  midst  of  her  ; and  they 
shall  become  as  women  : a sword  is  upon  her  treasures,  and 
they  shall  be  robbed.  A drought  shall  be  upon  her  waters, 
and  they  shall  be  dried  up : for  it  is  the  land  of- graven  images, 
and  they  are  mad  upon  their  idols.” 

The  following  are  from  the  thirteenth  and  forty-seventh 
chapters  of  Isaiah.  “ Come  down  and  sit  in  the  dust,  O 
daughter  of  Babylon  ; sit  on  the  ground ; — O daughter  of 
the  Chaldeans : for  thou  shalt  no  more  be  called  the  lady  of 
kingdoms.  For  thou  hast  trussed  in  thy  wickedness  : thou 
hast  said,  none  seeth  me.  Thy  wisdom  and  thy  knowledge 
hath  perverted  thee. — Therefore  shall  evil  come  upon  thee ; 
thou  shall  not  know  from  whence  it  riseth ; and  mischief 
shall  fall  upon  thee ; thou  shalt  not  be  able  to  put  it  off ; 
and  desolation  shall  come  upon  thee  suddenly,  which  thou 
shall  not  know. — Behold,  I will  stir  up  the  Medes  against 
them, — and  Babylon,  the  glory  of  kingdoms,  the  beauty  of 
the  Chaldees’  excellency,  shall  be  as  when  God  overthrew 
Sodom  and  Gomorrah.  It  shall  never  be  inhabited,  neither 
shall  it  be  dwelt  in  from  generation  to  generation. — 'But 
wild  beasts  of  the  desert  shall  lie  there ; and  their  houses 
shall  be  full  of  doleful  creatures  ; and  owls  shall  dwell  there. 
And  the  wild  beasts  of  the  islands  shall  cry  in  their  desolate 
houses  and  dragons  in  their  pleasant  palaces.” 

These  Divine  predictions  were  delivered  many  years  be- 
fore the  events  to  which  they  alluded  took  place  ; and  ac- 
cording to  the  accounts  given  by  historians  of  the  taking  of 
Babylon  by  Cyrus,  and  the  subsequent  calamities  which  came 
upon  it,  we  find  that  they  were  fully  accomplished,  in  the 
conquest  and  final  destruction  and  desolation  of  that  famous, 
but  ill-fated  city  and  empire.  Her  destructive  ravages  of 


24 


other  countries,  and  her  barbarous  cruelties  towards  their 
inhabitants,  excited  in  them  a spirit  of  retaliation. 

The  Medes  and  Persians,  combined  with  various  other 
nations,  and  united  under  Cyrus,  king  of  Persia,  a nation 
comparatively  small  in  view  of  the  Chaldeans,  besieged  the 
city,  Altho  the  Babylonians,  confident  of  security,  ridicul- 
ed the  attempts  of  Cyrus  to  reduce  the  city ; yet,  in  con- 
tempt of  their  boasted  security,  and  contrary  to  all  their  ex- 
pectations, he  laid  his  plans  and  disposed  his  forces  in  a manner 
that  insured  complete  success.  He  had  information  of  a great 
festival  that  was  to  take  place  in  Babylon,  on  a particular 
day,  and  knew  that  the  Babylonians,  on  such  occasions, 
were  accustomed  to  pass  the  whole  night  in  drunkenness 
and  debauchery.  A particular  account  of  this  feast  is  given 
in  the  fifth  chapter  of  Daniel ; with  the  circumstance  of  th* 
hand  writing  upon  the  wall,  and  the  consequences  that  fol- 
lowed. 

Cyrus  having  made  preparations  for  turning  the  branch 
of  the  river,  which  ran  through  the  city,  out  of  its  course, 
accomplished  his  object  by  opening  the  sluices  into  another 
channel,  and  stopping  the  passage  of  the  river  through  the 
city.  Having  previously  posted  his  forces  at  the  proper 
points,  on  each  side  of  the  city,  they  had  only  to  wait  till 
the  water  was  sufficiently  drawn  off,  so  as  to  render  the  bed 
of  the  river  passable,  when  they  marched  in,  under  the  walls 
of  the  city,  through  the  bed  of  the  river.  The  two  divisions 
of  the  army  met,  in  the  dead  hour  of  night,  in  the  central 
part  of  the  city,  opposite  the  king’s  palace. 

Here  the  project  of  Cyrus  would  have  been  frustrated,  if 
the  gates  of  the  inner  walls,  on  the  sides  of  the  river,,  had 
been  closed.  But  the  Babylonians,  in  the  excesses  of  that 
fatal  night,  had  neglected  these  gates ; and  the  soldiers  of 
Cyrus,  finding  them  all  open,  marched  directly  up  into  the 
city,  where  they  found  no  power  to  oppose  them,  the  army 
and  the  inhabitants  being  all  buried  in  drunkenness  and  de- 
bauchery. The  soldiers  rushed  into  the  royal  palace,  and 
slew  Belshazzar  and  his  lords,  in  the  very  place  where  they 
had  just  been  profaning  the  sacred  vessels  of  the  sanctuary, 
which  Nebuchadnezzar  had  pillaged  from  the  temple  at 
Jerusalem.  The  victory  of  Cyrus  was  complete.  The  city 
was  taken,  and  the  destruction  of  lives  was  immense. 

Tho  the  city  of  Babylon  stood  many  years  after  this  ; yet 
it  was  in  subjection  to  the  Medes  and  Persians.  But  the 
Babylonians  at  length  rebelling  against  their  conquerors.,  the 
city  was  again  taken  and  reduced  by  Darius,  and  was  finally 


25 


destroyed ; and  so  complete  was  the  destruction  of  this  great 
city,  that  it  was  at  length  deserted  by  those  of  the  inhabi- 
tants who  had  escaped  the  sword  of  the  conquerors.  And, 
agreeable  to  the  predictions  of  the  forementioned  prophets, 
it  became  a habitation  for  wild  beasts,  and  venomous  crea- 
tures of  every  description ; and  in  this  situation  it  still  re- 
mains. 

Such  was  the  fate  of  the  great  city  of  Babylon,  which 
was  once  thought  to  he  impregnable  to  a world  in  arms. 
In  the  manner  of  her  destruction,  we  may  see  the  predictions 
of  the  prophets  fully  accomplished  ; and  with  her  ruin  and 
desolation,  the  Chaldean  empire  and  nation  were  completely 
blotted  out  from  under  heaven. 

A FEW  REFLECTIONS. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  many  writers  have  comment- 
ed largely  upon  the  overthrow  of  Egypt,  Assyria  and  Ba- 
bylon, as  striking  proofs  in  favor  of  Divine  revelation  ; be- 
cause their  destruction  was  so  expressly  foretold  by  the 
Jewish  prophets,  and  so  completely  fulfilled  in  the  event. 
But  have  they  made  the  best  use  of  these  extraordinary 
events,  in  favor  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion  ? Why  have 
they  never  drawn  arguments  from  these  premises,  to  show 
the  awful  and  destructive  nature  and  effects  of  those  malig- 
nant principles  and  passions  from  whence  wars  originate  ? 
Why  have  they  not  drawn  illustrations  from  these  events, 
to  show  the  fatal  tendency  of  maintaining  the  principles  and 
cultivating  the  science  of  war,  and  to  point  out  the  abomi- 
nable corruptions  and  moral  depravity  which  invariably 
spring  from  these  principles,  when  carried  into  practice  by 
a nation  ? And  why  have  they  not  shown  their  utter  in- 
consistency with  the  principles  of  genuine  Christianity,  by 
a just  comparison  ? If  they  would  do  this,  the  horrid  rudi- 
ments and  practices  of  these  haughty,  impious  and  blood- 
shedding  pagans  would  appear  in  their  real  deformity,  when 
placed  in  contrast  with  the  meek,  harmless  and  benevolent 
principles  and  practice  of  the  Prince  of  peace  and  the  pri- 
mitive Christians. 

Had  the  writers  in  defence  of  Christianity  pursued  this 
course,  they  might  have  displayed  the  nature  of  war,  and 
the  nature  of  the  Christian  religion,  in  their  true  colors,  and 
thereby  produced  the  most  important  and  undeniable  proofs 
in  favor  of  genuine  Christianity.  They  might  have  proved 

its  beneficial  tendency  to  the  souls  and  bodies  of  mankind, 

• 

C 


26 


by  showing  that  it  is  for  their  best  good,  both  here  and  here- 
after. They  might  also  have  shown  how  infinitely  the  true 
principles  of  Christianity  exceed,  in  beauty,  glory  and  hap- 
piness, the  highly  extolled  maxims  of  those  mighty  men  of 
war,  those  renowned  heroes  and  boasted  philosophers,  whose 
lives  are  stained  with  blood  and  carnage. 

But  while  these  commentators  dwell  upon  the  judgments 
inflicted  upon  the  ancient  heathen  nations,  as  proofs  in  favor 
of  Christianity,  because  these  things  had  been  predicted  by  the 
Jewish  prophets,  and  yet  leave  this  same  Christianity  con- 
taminated with  the  dire  passions  of  war,  and  all  its  attend- 
ant corruptions,  which  were  the  very  causes  of  those  judg- 
ments ; so  far  from  reflecting  any  honor  upon  Christianity, 
they  in  reality  disgrace  it,  by  sinking  it  to  a level  with  hea- 
thenism. For  those  heathen  wars  were  perfectly  consistent 
with  the  principles  ..of  their  religion  ; but  the  true  principles 
of  the  Christian  religion  are  utterly  incompatible  with  war, 
and  every  thing  pertaining  to  it.  The  fulfilment  of  these 
prophecies  may  indeed  be  adduced  as  proofs  against  Athe- 
ism ; because  both  the  prediction  and  accomplishment  clear- 
ly show  the  existence  of  a power  and  intelligence  infinitely 
superior  to  any  thing  pertaining  to  human  nature.  But  they 
prove  nothing  more  in  favor  of  what  is  generally  called 
Christianity,  than  in  favor  of  any  other  religion  which  is, 
in  like  manner,  connected  with  the  principles  of  war. 

But  let  these  prophecies  be  viewed  in  the  light  of  divine 
truth,  and  then  it  will  be  clearly  seen,  that  the  corrupt  prin- 
ciples and  practices  by  which  those  nations  were  actuated, 
being  so  offensive  to  Divine  Justice,  and  so  contrary  to  mo- 
ral virtue,  were,  in  reality,  the  efficient  and  sole  causes  of 
these  judgments.  Let  the  subject  be  examined  still  further, 
and  let  the  principles  of  modern  warfare  be  contrasted  with 
the  benign  religion  of  the  Prince  of  peace  who,  by  precept 
and  example,  inculcated  the  benevolent  principles  of  “ peace 
on  earth  and  good  will  towards  men  and  who  forbid  his 
followers  to  render  evil  for  evil ; and  it  will  then  be  seen 
whether  those  modern  nations,  who  profess  to  five  under  the 
lio-ht  of  the  gospel,  and  to  be  governed  by  milder  principles, 
are  not  still  actuated  by  the  same  maxims  of  military  glory, 
and  quite  as  ambitious  of  martial  fame,  as  were  the  ancient 
pagans. 

If  the  laws  of  war,  at  the  present  day,  are,  in  some  re- 
spects, less  barbarous  than  those  of  ancient  times,  still  it 
will  be  found  that  the  principles  of  modern  warfare,  which 
require  the  warrior  to  shed  the  blood  of  his  fellow  meg,  are 


27 


of  the  same  nature.  It  will  also  be  found  that  the  princi- 
ples of  war  are  equally  subversive  of  moral  virtue,  and 
tend  equally  to  multiply  crimes,  increase  human  depravity, 
and  spread  corruption  and  violence  through  the  land. 

Is  it  not  indeed  a melancholy  truth,  that  crimes  of  every 
description  are  invariably  multiplied  in  a nation,  in  propor- 
tion as  that  nation  devotes  itself  to  the  principles  of  war  ? 
And  if  the  same  warlike  policy,  attended  with  the  same 
moral  depravity,  will  produce  the  same  effects,  what  can 
save  this  nation,  or  indeed  any  nation,  which  maintains  the 
principles  and  cultivates  the  arts  of  war,  from  the  frowns  of 
Divine  Justice,  at  the  present  day  ? Have  they  any  greater 
assurance  of  Divine  favor  or  protection  than  the  ancient  pa- 
gans had  ? Do  they  not  pursue  the  same  practices  ? Nay 
more — do  they  not  in  practice  violate  their  own  better  light, 
and  reject  the  pacific  doctrines  of  the  Prince  of  peace, 
whose  divine  authority  they  profess  to  acknowledge  ? Do 
they  not  also  violate  the  best  principles  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion, in  which  they  profess  to  believe  ? This  the  ancient 
pagans  did  not  do : for  the  Christian  religion  had  not  then 
been  revealed  to  man. 

In  the  destruction  of  Babylon,  the  advocates  of  war  may 
find  a powerful  lesson  of  instruction.  It  affords  a most 
striking  instance  of  the  short-sighted  policy — nay,  the  mad- 
ness and  folly  of  a nation’s  relying  on  military  forces,  mar- 
tial skill,  or  any  of  the  warlike  preparations  or  means  of 
defence  generally  resorted  to,  either  in  war  or  peace,  for 
protection  and  safety  against  invading  armies.  Why  then 
will  warring  rulers  and  military  chieftains  never  learn  wis- 
dom ? Why  will  they  exhaust  the  treasures,  and  sacrifice 
the  lives  of  nations  in  support  of  a fallacious  principle  which, 
in  the  event,  has  always  proved  their  ruin. 

In  Babylon,  this  favorite  principle  of  the  warrior  was 
fully  tried,  and  utterly  failed.  Here  military  power  and  art 
— preparations  and  defences — .strength  and  fortifications — 
walls  and  ramparts — pomp  and  splendor,  were  all  carried  to 
the  highest  i pitch — to  the  very  zenith  of  human  abilities  ; 
yet  what  was  the  result  ? Was  Babylon  protected  or  de- 
fended by  these  means  ? Did  not  her  confident,  but  foolish 
reliance  on  these  means  prove  her  destruction,  instead  of  her 
defence  ? This  certainly  cannot  be  disputed.  And  such  has 
ever  been  the  fate  of  nations  who  have  cultivated  wars,  and 
put  their  trust  in  military  defences. 


28 


THE  PERSIAN  EMPIRE. 

The  Persians  were  originally  called  Elamites,  from  Elam, 
the  grandson  of  Noah.  Tho  an  ancient  nation,  they  do  not 
appear  to  have  been  much  distinguished  in  the  scale  of  na- 
tions, previous  to  the  time  of  Cyrus,  when  they  began  to 
distinguish  themselves,  in  feats  of  war,  under  that  celebrated 
leader.  In  the  commencement  of  their  military  career, 
they  are  represented  as  a hardy  race  of  people,  inured  to 
toil,  simple  in  their  manners,  virtuous  in  principle,  trained 
to  obedience,  and  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty  to 
their  friends,  their  leaders  and  their  laws. 

Being  trained  and  disciplined  to  arms,  under  skilful  and 
active  leaders,  they  became  successful  in  war  ; and  by  as- 
sociating with  the  Medes,  and  a few  other  allies,  they  soon 
acquired  great  reputation  in  their  wars  with  the  Assyrians, 
Chaldeans,  and  other  powerful  nations,  vastly  superior  to 
them  in  numbers.  In  consequence  of  these  successes,  un- 
der skilful  generals,  their  military  power  greatly  increased, 
and  their  martial  fame  was  extended  far  and  wide.  Their 
military  pride  and  ambition  now  rose  to  the  highest  pitch, 
and  their  passion  for  war  and  conquest  became  unbounded. 
In  their  military  career,  they  overran  a vast  extent  of  coun- 
try, and  conquered  many  powerful  nations. 

But  the  ravages  of  war,  and  the  spoils  of  conquered  na- 
tions, tended  only  to  exalt  their  pride,  inflame  their  ambi- 
tion, and  increase  their  military  excesses  and  savage  cruel- 
ties, till  at  length  they  considered  themselves  masters  of  the 
world,  and  felt  fully  authorised  by  their  vast  military 
strength,  and  uniform  success  in  war,  to  bring  all  other  na- 
tions into  subjection  to  their  tyrannical  power.  The  most 
numerous  armies,  perhaps,  ever  raised  by  any  nation,  were 
brought  into  the  field.*  Here  we  may  see  another  striking 
proof  that  military  ambition  knows  no  bounds. 

These  immense  armies,  strengthened  with  a numerous 
and  formidable  fleet,  hurried  on  by  a boundless  ambition  for 
conquest,  produced  their  natural  consequences.  Blood  and 


* The  armies  raised  by  Xerxes,  in  his  expedition  against  the  Grecians,  amounted 
to  2,100,000  land  forces,  and  upwards  of  300,000  fighting  men  employed  in  his  nume- 
rous fleet,  consisting  of  1,357  large  gallies,  besides  a vast  number  of  transport  ships 
and  smaller  gallies  for  various  other  uses,  which  made  the  number  of  vessels  amount 
to,  3,000  in  all.  So  that  when  Xerxes  arrived  at  Thermopylae  his  land  and  sea  forces 
together,  were  estimated  at 2,641,610  men,  without  including  servants,  eunuchs,  wo- 
men, and  other  people  of  that  sort,  who  usually  follow'  an  army,  of  which  the  num- 
ber at  this  time  was  considered  equal  to  that  of  the  forces  : so  that  the  whole  num- 
ber of  souls  that  followed  Xerxes,  in  his  expedition,  was  estimated  at  5,283.220-  See 
Rolli&’s  ane.  hist.  vol.  iii.  p.  187, 


29 


slaughter,  destruction  and  misery,  confusion  and  ruin,  fol- 
lowed in  their  train . N ot  only  the  countries  through  which 
they  passed,  but  even  the  ill-Tated  soldiers  of  these  mighty 
. armies,  had  to  share  in  the  general  calamity,  and  drink  deep- 
’ ly  of  the  cup  of  affliction  and  misery  which  they  occasion- 
ed. A vast  portion  of  these  huge  armies  lost  their  lives, 
their  fleets  were  destroyed,  and  the  remainder  of  their  land 
forces  hastily  driven  back  to  their  own  country.  This  ad- 
verse fortune  of  the  Persians  was  evidently  owing  to  the 
frowns  of  Divine  Providence,  combined  with  the  efforts  of 
a few  small  forces  of  the  Grecians,  comparatively  insuffi- 
cient in  numbers  to  contend  with  the  twentieth  part  of  this 
mighty  Persian  army. 

Tho  the  Persians  had  maintained  their  warlike  character 
for  many  years,  they  at  length  lost  their  power,  and  fell  by 
means  of  the  very  wars  which  they  had  excited.  The  vast 
treasures  which  they  had  amassed  in  their  wars,  from  the 
spoils  of  other  nations,  were  the  means  of  introducing  lux- 
ury and  effeminacy  into  the  nation.  The  long  period  in 
which  they  had  been  engaged  in  supporting  and  maintaining 
their  wars,  had  sunk  them  deep  in  moral  depravity.  The 
incalculable  injuries  they  had  inflicted  on  other  nations,  had 
excited  the  implacable  enmity  of  those  nations,  and  led  them 
to  watch  the  first  favorable  opportunity  to  avenge  them- 
selves upon  their  Persian  oppressors.  All  these  circum- 
stances combined  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  destruction  of 
that  haughty  nation. 

From  the  time  that  the  Persians  invaded  Greece,  under 
Xerxes,  their  power  began  to  decline.  That  expedition 
greatly  weakened  their  forces,  tarnished  their  military  fame, 
and  struck  the  first  death  blow  to  their  power.  Their  al- 
lies soon  began  to  desert  them,  and  their  enemies  turned  upon 
them  ; so  that  in  the«  turn,  they  were  compelled  to  suffer, 
in  their  own  country,  the  same  horrors  of  war  which  they 
had  inflicted  on  other  nations.  By  a successive  train  of 
disasters,  their  power  was  destroyed,  their  empire  dissolved, 
and  their  immense  treasures,  the  fruits  of  their  military  rob- 
beries, with  the  richest  treasures  of  their  own  country,  be- 
came the  spoil  of  their  conquerors.  The  city  of  Persepolis, 
the  famous  capital  of  the  empire,  one  of  the  most  splendid 
and  magnificent  cities  ever  built,  after  being  despoiled  of  its 
immense  riches,  was  burnt  by  its  conqueror,  Alexander  the 
Great.  That  extensive  country,  through  various  revolu- 
tions, has  been  a theatre  of  blood  and  carnage,  war  and  ra- 
pine, misery  and  wretchedness  ; so  that,  for  ages,  the  real 
C 2 


30 

descendants  of  that  ancient  and  once  powerful  nation,  have 
been  unknown. 

Thus,  in  the  fate  of  this  mighty  empire,  we  may  see  an- 
other awful  example  of  the  fatal  tendency  of  the  spirit  and . 
principles  of  war,  and  a striking  evidence  that  the  higher  a 
nation  rises  in  military  power  and  martial  fame,  the  more 
certain  she  is  to  fall  by  the  same  means. 

THE  GRECIAN  EMPIRE. 

The  ancient  Grecians  were  once  a powerful  and  warlike 
nation,  who  gloried  in  their  military  prowess,  and  evidently 
excelled  most  of  the  neighboring  nations  in  the  science  of 
Avar.  Their  ambition,  pride  and  lust  of  power,  involved 
them  in  frequent  and  bloody  wars,  both  foreign  and  domes- 
tic. Their  mighty  hero  and  madman  of  renown , Alexander  the 
Great,  to  gratify  his  boundless  ambition,  and  insatiable  thirst 
for  military  fame,  rushed,  like  an  infuriated  demon,  through 
the  world,  conquering  wherever  he  came,  laying  waste  the 
fairest  portions  of  the  globe,  and  committing  such  shameful 
acts  of  barbarity  and  devastation,  as  would  have  forever 
disgraced  the  most  notorious  pirates  and  robbers.  He  ob- 
tained, indeed,  the  character  of  a famous  conqueror ; but 
his  career  of  violence  and  wickedness  was  of  short  dura- 
tion. In  the  midst  of  his  conquests,  and  before  he  had 
reached  the  age  of  thirty-three  years,,  he  died  by  drunken- 
ness, at  Babylon. 

Such  was  the  fate  of  the  greatest  military  hero  known  on 
ancient  record,  and  supposed  by  many  to  be  the  greatest  the 
world  ever  produced.  His  vast ' conquests  were  divided 
among  four  of  his  principal  generals,  into  four  great  king- 
doms. These  followed  the  barbarous  and  savage  example 
of  their  famous  predecessor.  War^was  their  profession, 
military  glory  their  passion,  and  conquest  their  object. — 
Acting  upon  the  principles  of  warring  rulers,  they  consi- 
dered a military  attitude  as  indispensable  to  maintain  their 
honor  and  independence,  and  the  only  means  of  protecting 
and  defending  a nation.  Of  course  they  were  continually 
cultivating  the  art  of  war,  and  rendering  themselves  obnox- 
ious to  each  other,  by  their  military  preparations  and  war- 
like achievements.  Ambitious  of  power  themselves,  and 
jealous  of  the  power  of  others,  they  were  incessantly  seek- 
ing opportunities  to  circunrvent,  harrass  and  destroy  one  an- 
other ; and  such  were  the  horrid  scenes  of  sanguinary  bat- 
tles, treacherous  murders,  carnage  and  spoliation,  with 


31 


which  they  filled  their  own  and  each  other’s  dominions,  that 
they  rendered  the  most  populous  parts  of  Europe  and  Asia, 
for  a long  period  of  time,  almost  a constant  field  of  carnage 
and  devastation. 

These  destructive  wars  produced  their  natural  effects  ; 
distress  and  misery  to  millions,  probably,  of  the  suffering 
poor,  the  aged,  and  women  and  children  ; death  or  incurable 
wounds,  to  many  hundreds  of  thousands  of  poor  soldiers  ; 
but  haughtiness,  pride  and  luxury,  to  the  surviving  rulers 
and  officers,  the  wealthy  contractors,  and  all  who  were  left 
to  fatten  on  the  spoils  and  treasures  of  the  conquered  cities 
and  kingdoms ; and  we  may  add,  abase  depravity  of  morals,  the 
natural  effects  of  war , to  all  concerned  in  them . These  things 
engendered  in  Greece  the  seeds  of  destruction,  which  sprung 
up  in  her  own  bowels,  spread  through  all  ranks  and  classes, 
corrupted  every  faculty  of  the  soul,  and  extinguished  every 
principle  of  real  goodness  that  ever  existed  among  them. — 
Increasing  in  depravity  and  sensual  indulgence,  some  of 
their  diversions  were  cruel  and  inhuman  in  the  highest  de- 
gree ; others  base,  ridiculous  and  shamefully  degrading.  Their 
principles  of  religion  and  religious  ceremonies  were  filled 
with  ridiculous  and  obscene  fables,  and  acts  of  shameful  de- 
bauchery, which  rendered  their  sacred  temples,  like  so  many 
brothels,  the  most  filthy  scenes  of  pollution  and  obscenity. 
These  things  finally  sunk  the  whole  nation  to  the  lowest 
state  of  depravity  and  moral  infamy,  drew  upon  her  the 
vengeance  of  her  enemies,  and  paved  the  way  for  her  de- 
struction. 

Thus  fell  the  once  famous  nations  of  Greece,  so  renown- 
ed in  history  for  arts  and  arms,  so  valiant  in  Avar,  so  skilled 
in  science,  and  so  enlightened  in  philosophy  ; a people  ^whose 
improvements  in  philosophy,  poetry,  history,  oratory,  archi- 
tecture, and  all  the  fine  arts,  have  resounded  through  all  the 
world,  and  been  the  envy  of  aspiring  nations  to  this  day. 

Here  we  have  another  proof  of  the  fatal  effects  of  war 
and  military  science,  and  of  the  utter  inability  of  these  pur- 
suits to  render  a people  prosperous  and  happy,  or  eAren  to 
protect  and  defend  a nation  against  an  invading  foe.  No 
nation  was  ever  more  renowned  for  heroic  bravery,  and 
none  before  them  ever  carried  the  art  of  war  to  so  high  a 
pitch,  and  made  it  so  regular  a science.  But  so  far  from 
saving  the  nation,  it  proved  the  very  means  of  blasting  her 
power,  destroying  her  character,  and  completing  her  ruin  : 
so  that  these  once  noble  Grecians  have,  for  ages,  been  in  a 
most  degraded  state  of  slavery.  ’ 


32 


THE  CITY  OF  TYRE. 

This  famous  city,  by  her  industry  and  commercial  enter- 
prise, rose  to  great  wealth  and  power,  and  became,  in  her 
day,  the  commercial  metropolis  of  the  world ; “ whose  mer- 
chants were  princes,  and  whose  traffickers  were  the  hono- 
rable of  the  earth.”*  She  extended  her  commercial  inter- 
course to  all  the  known  world,  and  was  celebrated  as  the 
common  mart  of  nations.  Her  walls  and  fortifications  were 
considered  impregnable  ; and  her  naval  and  military  power 
was  so  great,  that  she  was  called  “ the  renowned  city, 
which  was  strong  in  the  sea,  she  and  her  inhabitants,  which 
cause  their  terror  to  be  on  all  that  haunt  it.”|  Her  armies 
were  composed  of  the  warriors  of  many  nations ; her  naval 
power  was  superior  to  that  of  any  nation. 

But  what  did  her  great  naval  power,  her  mighty  military 
defences,  her  valiant  warriors,  and  all  her  immense  riches 
avail  her  ? Were  they  able  to  defend  her  from  the  power 
of  her  enemies,  or  to  save  her  from  destruction,  in  the  day 
of  trial  ? The  event  proved  that  they  were  not.  By  her 
great  riches  and  power,  “ the  midst  of  her  became  filled 
with  violence.”  As  like  causes  produce  like  effects  ; so  the 
principles  of  violence,  when  indulged  and  practiced  in  a 
nation,  without  restraint,  have  eveYbeen  the  harbingers  of 
destruction  to  that  nation.  This  Avas  the  case  with  ancient 
Tyre. 

“ Pride  goeth  before  destruction,  and  a haughty  spirit  be- 
fore a fall.”  The  immense  riches  and  extensive  power  of 
Tyre,  so  exalted  the  pride  of  her  king,  that  he  fancied  him- 
self a god,  and  said,  “ I am  a god,  I sit  in  the  seat  of  God, 
in  the  midst  of  the  seas.”J  But  when  the  time  of  her  visi- 
tation came,  according  to  the  predictions  of  the  inspired  pro- 
phets ; when  the  cup  of  her  iniquities  and  her  violence  had 
come  to  the  full,  then  did  she  look  in  Arain  to  her  impregna- 
ble walls  and  mighty  ramparts,  her  vast  armies  and  power- 
ful navies  ; they  could  not  save  her,  nor  prevent  her  de- 
struction. For  notwithstanding  all  that  her  military  pow- 
er and  strength  could  do  for  her  defence,  she  was  twice  ta- 
ken ; first  by  Nebuchadnezzar,  and  afterwards  by  Alexan- 
der the  Great. 

Her  powerful  military  defences,  and  long  resistance  in  the 
last  siege,  gave  her  enemies  so  much  trouble,  that  after  having 
succeeded  against  her,  they  committed  the  most  horrid  scenes 


* Isa.  xxiiL  8. 


t Ezek.  xxvi.  17. 


X Ezek.  xxviii.  2, 


33 


of  barbarity  and  cruelty.  So  that  her  great  military  strength, 
instead  of  proving  her  protection,  served  only  to  increase 
the  cup  of  her  calamities,  and  make  her  downfall  the  great- 
er. Nor  has  this  “ renowned  city”  ever  been  able  to  rise 
again  ; but  the  prediction  of  the  prophet  Ezekiel  was  ful- 
filled upon  her.  “ They  shall  destroy  the  walls  of  Tyrus, 
and  break  down  her  towers  ; it  shall  be  a place  for  the 
spreading  of  nets  in  the  midst  of  the  sea ; and  it  shall  be- 
come a spoil  to  the  nations.”* 

These  predictions  have  been  literally  accomplished,  in  all 
respects  ; so  that  this  once  renowned  emporium  of  the  world, 
this  great  mart  of  nations,  is  now  inhabited  by  a few  poor 
and  wretched  fishermen,  who  are  often  seen  drying  their 
nets  on  the  barren  rocks  where  this  great  commercial  me- 
tropolis once  stood. 

Here  let  the  advocates  of  war  pause  and  reflect ; and  in- 
stead of  making  a few  dry  comments  on  the  truth  of  an- 
cient prophecy,  let  them  learn  this  serious  lesson  of  instruc- 
tion for  themselves ; — That  all  the  arts  of  war,  with  all  the 
strength  and  power  of  military  violence,  within  the  reach 
of  human  capacity,  are  powerless  and  futile  in  protecting 
a nation,  when  compared  with  the  principles  of  peace,  equi- 
ty, justice  and  good  will  to  mankind,  which  alone  can  en- 
sure the  safety  of  a nation  without  bloodshed. 

THE  CITY  OF  CARTHAGE. 

This  city  was  first  founded  by  a colony  of  emigrants 
from  Tyre,  and  rose  also  by  commercial  industry,  to  a great 
height  of  prosperity.  In  process  of  time  it  became  not  on- 
ly a great  and  powerful  city,  but  rose  also  to  a mighty  and 
warlike  empire,  which  extended  over  a great  portion  of  Af- 
rica, including  many  isles  of  the  Mediterranean  sea.  Her 
commerce  extended  throughout  almost  all  the  known  world, 
by  which  she  became  immensely  rich. 

But  as  her  commerce  and  riches  increased  her  pride  and 
ambition  ; so  violence  and  war  succeeded . And  such  was 
her  riches  and  warlike  power,  that  no  nation  appeared  to  be 
a match  for  her.  She  was,  for  ages,  the  powerful  rival  of 
the  Roman  empire.  Hannibal,  her  celebrated  hero,  “ a 
mighty  man  of  renown,”  once  nearly  succeeded  in  conquer- 
ing the  Roman  capital  itself.  At  length,  however,  after 
having  displayed  the  greatest  military  skill  and  enterprise 


* Ezek.  xxvi.  4,  5* 


34 


perhaps  ever  known,  he  failed  in  his  purpose,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  adverse  operation  of  the  war-spirit  in  his  own 
country. 

The  ambitious  principles  of  war  and  violence,  which  were 
so  much  cultivated  by  the  Carthagenians,  produced  their 
natural  fruits,  and  became  the  prolific  source  of  envy,  emu- 
lation and  strife  among  themselves.  In  consequence  of  this, 
notwithstanding  the  great  skill  and  enterprising  spirit  of 
their  general,  and  the  vast  military  strength  and  resources 
of  the  nation,  their  , armies  were  overthrown.  And  the 
mighty  Hannibal,  who  had  butchered  many  ten  thousands 
of  his  fellow  men,  and  spread  devastation  and  misery  through 
the  neighboring  nations,  became  his  own  executioner,  and 
ended  his  days  by  a dose  of  poison.  The  powerful  city  of 
Carthage  was  sacked,  and  at  length  totally  destroyed  by 
war,  and  the  empire  dissolved  ; so  that  for  many  ages,  that 
once  rich,  powerful  and  warlike  people,  have  not  existed  as 
a nation. 

- Thus  the  mighty  Carthage,  whose  riches  and  power  ex- 
alted her  pride  and  ambition,  and  led  her  into  war,  whose 
treasures  were  increased  by  the  spoils  of  nations,  and  whose 
people  gloried  in  their  military  prowess  and  their  mighty 
conquests,  fell  by  the  same  means  : another  awful  warning 
to  the  advocates  of  war  and  warring  nations,  who  trust  in 
the  sword  for  protection  and  defence. 

THE  ROMAN  EMPIRE. 

It  will  doubtless  be  granted  that,  in  the  rise  and  progress 
of  the  Roman  empire,  the  principles,  practice  and  natural 
effects  of  the  art  of  war,  were  carried  to  their  utmost  ex- 
tent ; and  it  is  generally  believed  that  the  greatness  and  glo- 
ry of  their  military  power  have  never  had  a parallel.  If, 
therefore,  the  principles  of  war  ever  produced  any  real  be- 
nefit to  a nation,  or  if  the  art  of  war  ever  employed  the 
noble  faculties  of  man  to  any  useful  purpose,  it  may  be 
fairly  tested  in  the  history  of  that  nation. 

As  a nation,  it  is  generally  admitted  that  the  Romans  ex- 
celled all  others,  not  only  in  the  science  of  war,  and  milita- 
ry power,  but  also  in  their  public  improvements,  and  na- 
tional policy,  in  men  of  genius  and  literary  talents,  in  the 
arts  and  sciences,  and  in  all  the  improvements  of  civiliza- 
tion. The  power  of  Rome,  and  the  greatness  of  her  glory, 
were  considered  as  established  upon  a firm  and  immoveable 
foundation,  and,  all  things  considered,  the  strongest  that  had 


35 


ever  existed  ; so  that  her  strength,  in  the  language  of  pro- 
phecy, was  compared  to  iron,  the  strongest  of  metals.*  But 
where  is  she  now  ? 

In  tracing  the  history  of  Rome,  we  find  that  the  first  rise 
of  that  nation  was  from  a banditti  of  lawless  robbers,  head- 
ed by  Romulus,  her  first  Icing,  from  whom  the  Romans  took 
their  name.  These,  favored  by  fortunate  circumstances, 
gradually  increased  in  numbers  and  power  ; and  by  pursuing 
war  and  violence  as  a professional  calling,  they  subdued 
the  surrounding  nations,  spreading  havoc  and  destruction  far 
and  wide,  and  in  process  of  time,  extended  their  power  and  au- 
thority over  the  fairest  portions  of  the  earth.  In  fact,  they 
became  at  length  the  masters  of  the  then  known  world  : for 
those  who  were  not  conquered  by  their  arms,  were  compelled 
to  acknowledge  their  power.  They  promoted  the  principles 
and  cultivated  the  practice  of  war,  to  the  utmost  extent  of 
their  power,  and  placed  their  greatest  glory  in  military  fame. 
They  considered  the  highest  happiness  and  glory  of  a fu- 
ture state,  as  the  reward  of  great  military  exploits ; and 
viewed  a violent  death  in  war,  as  a sure  passport  to  Heav- 
en •’j' 

Our  modern  warriors  have  evidently  adopted  these  pagan 
principles  into  their  religious  creed  : for  we  find  that  when- 
ever a great  military  butcher  dies,  or  falls  in  battle,  tho  his 
crimes  should  be  sufficient  to  disgrace  the  character  of  a 
common  highwayman  ; yet  his  fame  is  extolled  to  the  skies, 
by  the  orators  of  war,  and  his  soul  is  wafted  to  Heaven,  by 
the  pompous  prayers  of  the  high-blooded  ministers  (profes- 
sedly) of  the  Prince  of  peace.  But  what  are  such  pray- 
ers but  the  sacrilegious  offerings  of  blind  guides,  which 
tend  merely  to  flatter  and  deceive  the  friends  and  connec- 
tions of  these  blood-stained  chiefs,  who  go  out  of  the  world 
reeking  with  their  own  blood  and  the  blood  of  their  breth- 
ren, which  has  been  shed  in  transgressing  the  laws  of 
God  ? 

But  what  were  the  benefits  of  this  war  policy  to  the  Ro- 
man empire  ? and  what  did  the  people  gain  by  it  ? It  doubt- 
less gratified  their  pride  and  ambitition,  and  created  a few 
mighty  men  of  renown  among  them.  But  this  sort  of  fame 
was  acquired  by  the  sacrifice  of  millions  of  the  lives  of  their 
fellow  men,  as  good  by  nature  as  themselves  ; and  attended 


* Expositors  generally  admit  the  Roman  empire  to  be  prefigured  by  the  legs  of  the 
great  image,  in  Nebuchadnezzar’s  dream,  which  were  of  iron. 

f See  Titus’s  speech  to  his  soldiers,  at  the  Beige  of  Jerusalem,  as  related  by  Jose- 
phus, b.  vi.  ch.  1. 


36 


with  destruction  and  rapine,  misery  and  starvation,  to  many 
millions  more.  And  thus  the  earth  must  be  filled  with  blood 
and  carnage,  desolation  and  misery,  that  a few  individual 
mortals  may,  for  a little  period,  become  men  of  great  re- 
nown among  their  deceived  and  mistaken  fellow  mortals, 
who  delight  in  the  horrid  din  of  war. 

By  constantly  cultivating  the  principles,  and  promoting 
the  spirit  of  war,  in  the  nation,  the  Romans  became  haugh- 
ty, jealous  and  irritable ; their  military  pride  and  vengeful 
passions  made  them  a contentious  "people ; so  that  when 
they  were  not  engaged  in  foreign  wars,  they  were  distract- 
ing their  own  country  with  their  domestic  broils,  conspira- 
cies and  civil  wars,  in  which  they  exercised  the  most  inhu- 
man cruelties  towards  each  other.  Murders  and  assassina- 
tions were  frequent  among  all  classes  ; violence  and  robbe- 
ry were  common  crimes  ; and  there  was  no  security  for 
person  nor  property. 

Julius  Caesar,  the  most  famous  of  the  Roman  emperors, 
after  having  ravaged  and  conquered  many  powerful  nations, 
and  slain  more  than  a million  of  his  fellow  men,  and  after 
having  put  to  death  multitudes  of  his  own  nation,  became, 
in  his  turn,  the  victim  of  domestic  conspiracy,  and  was  as- 
sassinated in  the  Roman  Senate,  by  his  own  senators,  and 
by  those,  too,  whom  he  had  considered  his  best  friends. — 
Many  of  the  Roman  emperors  shared  a similar  fate. 

Yet  Rome  was  a famous  and  powerful  empire,  greatly 
skilled  in  the  science  of  war,  and  highly  distinguished  for 
her  brave  and  skilful  commanders,  and  valiant  warriors  ; 
therefore,  she  must  be  held  up  as  a model  of  pride  and  emu- 
lation for  modern  warriors.  And  doubtless  the  war  policy 
of  that  ancient  nation  has  had  a great  effect  in  perpetuating 
wars,  and  animating  warring  nations,  and  blood- valiant  chief 
tains,  to  emulate  their  bravery  and  ambition. 

It  is  certain  that  pride  and  ambition,  and  a thirst  for  mili- 
tary fame,  are  the  principal  and  most  stimulating  causes  of 
war  among  nations  claiming  the  honors  and  benefits  of  ci- 
vilization ; yet  it  appears  that  the  Romans,  like  our  mo- 
dern advocates  for  war,  considered  it  absolutely  necessary 
for  the  defence  and  protection  of  their  empire.  Hence  Cel- 
sus,  a Roman  philosopher,  in  his  writings  against  Chris- 
tianity, censured  the  Christians  because  “ they  would  not  bear 
arms  in  defence  of  the  empire,  when  their  services  were 
needed,  and  would  have  been  accepted.”  And  speaking  of 
the  principle  upon  which  they  acted,  namely,  that  wars 
were  unlawful  and  unchristian,  he  says,  “ If  all  the  nation 


37 


should  act  upon  this  principle,  the  empire  would  be  over- 
run by  the  barbarians.” 

This  was  the  great  objection  of  the  Jews  against  the  pa- 
cific doctrines  of  Jesus  Christ ; and  this  has  been  the  common 
cry  of  the  advocates  of  war  to  this  day  ; but  its  futility  is  too 
obvious  to  escape  the  notice  of  the  friends  of  peace.  But 
why  did  the  barbarians  wish  to  overrun  the  empire  ? For 
this  reason  ; they  had,  for  a long  period  of  time,  suffered 
the  most  horrid  indignities  from  the  Romans,  till  their  pa- 
tience was  exhausted,  and  they  Avere  driven  to  madness  and 
revenge  against  these  worse  than  barbarous  enemies,  the 
proud  and  haughty  Romans. 

But  all  the  military  power  and  skill  of  the  Romans  could 
not  prevent  the  empire  from  being  overrun  by  the  barbarians. 
Indeed  it  was  the  very  cause  of  that  calamity.  * The  barba- 
rians began  their  ravages  to  revenge  themselves  on  the  Ro- 
mans, for  the  injuries  they  had  received  from  the  military 
devastations  of  that  warring  empire  ; and  they  never  ceased 
until  they  had  completed  the  ruin  of  the  empire  ; and  their 
ravages  were  attended  with  the  most  horrid  scenes  of  bar- 
barity and  devastation  that,  perhaps,  were  ever  witnessed. 

For  some  ages  of  the  early  existence  of  the  Roman  na- 
tion, they  were  distinguished,  in  many  respects,  by  noble, 
generous  and  virtuous  principles.  But  in  proportion  as 
they  increased  in  power  and  military  fame,  and  were  suc- 
cessful in  war,  their  virtuous  principles  decreased.  They 
lost  their  character  for  justice  and  virtue,  and  became  am- 
bitious, haughty  and  tyrannical.  Finally  their  luxuries  and 
debaucheries,  civil  broils  and  contentions,  the  genuine  fruits 
of  war,  ripened  them  for  Divine  judgments,  and  hastened 
their  ruin.  Some  of  their  emperors  were  but  monsters  in 
human  shape.  There  was  no  luxury,  no  debauchery,  no 
obscenity,  no  inhuman  cruelties,  of  which  they  were  not  guil- 
ty. In  the  indulgence  of  their  pleasures  and  their  passions, 
they  were  more  like  incarnate  devils  than  like  human  beings. 

The  common  people  of  that  nation  were  wretched  in  the 
extreme.  Justice,  virtue  and  innocence  found  no  protection. 
The  world  was  rendered  miserable  by  the  contentions  and 
ravages  of  a people  who  delighted  in  blood  and  carnage ; 
and  the  enmity  of  all  nations  was  excited  against  them, 
which  could  not  be  appeased  short  of  full  revenge.  Such 
was  the  effect  of  the  principles  of  war  and  military  power 
among  the  Romans.  And  when  the  terrible  ravages  of  the 
barbarians  were  retaliated  upon  them,  it  seemed  as  tho  the 
elements  of  heaven  and  earth  had  conspired  to  assist  them 

D 


38 


and  complete  the  destruction  of  the  Romans.  The  most 
terrible  earthquakes,  famines,  sweeping  plagues  and  pesti- 
lence, ever  witnessed,  were  poured  in  upon  them,  to  destroy 
those  whom  the  sword  had  left ; and  such  were  the  dread- 
ful effects,  that  it  appeared  as  tho  the  human  race  was 
threatened  with  extermination. 

In  the  history  of  the  Roman  empire,  the  advocates  of  war 
may  take  a serious  and  impartial  view  of  all  the  advantages 
of  war,  and  see  the  dire  effects  of  its  destructive  principles. 
These  principles  were  carried  to  their  highest  pitch  by  that 
nation.  But  where  is  now  the  military  prowess,  and  blood- 
bought  glory  of  that  once  famed  mistress  of  the  world? 
Have  they  saved  her  from  destruction  ? Have  they  not  in- 
deed been  the  direct  cause  of  her  destruction  ? For  many 
ages,  this  once  haughty  people  have  not  existed  as  a nation. 

Thus  fell  the  mighty  Roman  empire ; and  thus  every 
nation  which  cultivates  the  principles  of  war,  and  rises  high 
in  military  fame,  must  surely  fall,  unless  they  abandon  those 
principles  before  it  be  too  late. 

THE  SARACEN  EMPIRE. 

Next  to  the  Roman,  the  Saracen  or  Mahometan  empire 
succeeded  in  military  prowess  and  power.  Led  on  by  the 
principles  of  Mahomet,  their  great  founder,  by  war  and  fa- 
naticism, from  small  beginnings  they  became  an  extensive 
and  mighty  empire.  The  Mahometan  principles,  like  those 
of  a large  portion  of  our  modern  Christians,*  placed  the 
greatest  glory  of  man  in  the  profession  and  use  of  arms,  and 
considered  a death  in  battle  as  the  certain  road  to  paradise. 
Being  fatalists  in  principle,  they  believed  their  fate  to  be  de- 
cided by  the  decrees  of  Heaven  ; and  therefore  no  dangers 
to  which  they  might  be  exposed  could  shorten  their  lives. 
They  also  believed  that  God  had  sent  them  to  reform  the 
world  by  the  sword. 

Excited  and  fired  by  these  principles,  they  became  in- 
vincible, and  rushed  through  the  world  like  the  destroying 
locusts,  drenching  the  earth  with  blood,  and  wreaking  their 
vengeance  on  all  wTho  would  not  submit  to  their  power. 
It  is  said  that  Omar,  the  2d  caliph  after  Mahomet,  during  a 
reign  of  ten  years,  reduced  thirty-six  thousand  cities  and 
villages  to  his  obedience.  Thus  they  went  on,  conquering 
nations  and  kingdoms,  far  and  wide,  until  they  established 

* We  should  rather  say  JJntichristians ; because  the  principles  of  war  are  entirely 
opposite  to  Christianity. 


39 


an  empire  more  extensive  than  that  of  the  Romans,  tho 
perhaps  not  equal  in  martial  science  and  power.  This  they 
maintained  against  all  opposition,  and  became  the  scourges 
of  mankind  for  a long  period  of  time . Their  military  power 
and  vast  resources  were  almost  beyond  calculation.  They 
considered  themselves  as  acting  under  the  authority  and 
patronage  of  Heaven,  and  therefore  invincible  to  human 
power.  But  their  warlike  principles,  like  those  of  their 
predecessors  in  martial  fame,  corrupted  them,  and  finally 
proved  the  cause  of  their  destruction. 

The  ruin  of  this  empire,  tho  it  was  the  natural  effect  of 
the  spirit  of  war,  which  produced  intestine  divisions  and 
treachery,  was  finally  accomplished  by  the  Tartars,  who,  in 
addition  to  their  military  power,  appeared  to  be  providen- 
tially favored  to  effect  the  downfall  of  the  Saracens.  Their 
great  capital,  Bagdad,  represented  by  historians  to  have  been, 
at  that  period,  “ the  richest  city  in  the  universe,”  was  taken, 
pillaged  and  burnt  by  Hulaku  Khan.  It  is  said  that  the 
treasures  found  in  it  were  immense.  So  that  divine  judg- 
ments evidently  followed  their  wars  and  violence,  and  com- 
pleted their  destruction.  Their  power  was  destroyed,  and 
their  empire  dissolved,  so  that  they  have  never  been  able  to 
recover  themselves  ; but  have  been  known  for  ages,  only 
as  a miserable  people,  existing  and  wandering  in  scattered 
and  separate  bands.  Thus  the  Saracen  empire,  which  rose 
by  war,  fell  by  the  same  means.  This  affords  another  aw- 
ful lesson  to  warring  nations. 

EMPIRE  OF  THE  TARTARS. 

In  warlike  power  and  human  butchery,  the  Tartars  suc- 
ceeded the  Saracens,  under  their  great  conquerors  Hulaku 
Khan,  Genghis-Khan  and  Timur  Bek  or  Tamelane.  They 
poured  forth  their  armies,  like  destructive  torrents,  thro’  the 
world,  and  spread  desolation  and  carnage,  wherever  they 
pursued  their  course,  to  a more  shocking  extent  than  was 
ever  known.  Millions  of  the  human  race  were  butcher  ed 
in  their  bloody  and  horrible  wars  and  devastations,*  by 
which  they  conquered  the  greatest  portion  of  the  then  known 
world,  and  raised  an  empire  far  more  extensive  than  that  of 
the  Romans,  even  in  the  height  of  their  glory,  and,  for  a 
time,  more  terrible  in  power. 

But  after  a comparatively  short  career,  in  rendering  the 
world  miserable  by  wars,  their  principles  of  military  pride 


* It  is  said  that  Genghis-Khan  destroyed  J4  millions  of  people  in  21  years. 


40 


and  ambition  by  which  they  rose  to  power,  became  the 
very  cause  of  their  ruin.  Domestic  discord  and  internal 
dissensions,  feuds  and  animosities,  the  natural  consequences 
of  military  principles,  generated  the  flames  of  sanguinary 
wars  among  themselves,  which  overthrew  the  empire,  and 
completed  the  destruction  of  the  nation. 

Thus  the  empire  of  the  Tartars,  which  rose  by  war,  fell 
by  the  same  means  ; so  that  at  the  present  day,  the  Tartars 
are  known  only  as  a miserable  and  divided  race  of  savage 
beings ; another  consequence  of  the  fatal  tendency  of  the 
war-policy. 

THE  TURKISH  EMPIRE. 

Cotemporary  with  the  Tartars  rose  the  Turks,  who  were 
also  of  Tartar  origin,  tho  they  rose  from  another  quarter, 
and  founded  a separate  empire.  The  Turks  were  originally 
known  as  bands  or  tribes  of  warlike  robbers,  who  subsisted 
by  rapine  and  violence.  War  and  human  butchery  being 
their  principal  occupation,  they  served  for  hire,  in  the 
armies  of  different  feudal  and  warring  princes,  in  the  man- 
ner still  practised  by  some  professed  Christian  nations,  par- 
ticularly the  Swiss  and  Germans. 

Here  it  may  be  proper  to  remark,  that  this  degrading 
practice,  among  professed  Christian  nations,  of  selling  them- 
selves, or  of  being  sold  by  their  rulers,  for  the  purpose  of 
human  butchery,  to  the  shame  and  disgrace  of  the  Christian 
name,  seems  to  have  been  borrowed  from  Pagans  and  Turks ; 
nations  whom  professed  orthodox  Christians  have  doomed 
to  eternal  damnation.  And  here  we  would  seriously  ask, 
why  is  it  that  these  orthodox  Christians,  have  always  been 
so  ready  to  adopt  the  worst  principles  and  practices  of  Pa- 
gans and  Mahometans,  while  they  rarely,  if  ever,  embrace 
any  of  their  virtues  ? The  principles  of  war  and  bloodshed, 
among  professed  Christian  nations,  were  evidently  first  bor- 
rowed from  the  Pagan  world : for  they  never  originated  from 
Jesus  Christ;  nor  are  they  sanctioned  by  any  principle  of 
his  religion,  nor  by  any  example  of  the  primitive  Christians. 
He  was  the  Messenger  of  “peace  on  earth,  and  good  will 
to  man consequently  his  mission  must,  of  necessity,  be 
totally  opposite  to  the  principles  of  war  and  violence.  ' 

But  these  professed  Christian  nations  would  have  acted 
much  more  consistently  with  the  principles  of  the  Christian 
religion,  had  they,  in  lieu  of  the  principles  of  war,  adopted 
the  integrity  and  good  faith,  in  their  dealings  and  commer- 


41 


cial  intercourse,  in  which  these  infidel  Turks,  so  called, 
have  shamed  the  whole  Christian  world.  The  Turks  and 
the  Mahometans,  generally,  have  ever  been  more  tolerant, 
in  matters  of  conscience,  than  the  professed  orthodox  Chris- 
tians : for  it  does  not  appear  that  they  ever  persecuted  any 
people  for  their  faith,  who  would  submit  to  their  power, 
until  they  were  led  or  rather  driven  into  it,  by  the  horrid 
persecuting  practices  of  an  orthodox  hierarchy.  So  that 
these  persecuting  Christians  adopted  some  of  the  worst  of 
the  Mahometan  principles,  and  in  return,  taught  the  Ma- 
hometans worse  principles  than  they  before  professed . This 
it  was  that  favored  the  rapid  extension  of  the  more  mild  and 
tolerant  religion  of  Mahomet,  and  gave  such  extensive  suc- 
cess to  the  conquering  arms  of  his  followers. 

The  Turks,  by  their  wonderful  success  in  the  wars  of 
others,  grew  proud  and  ambitious,  and  began  to  unite  in  a 
body,  under  their  distinguished  military  chiefs.  Favored 
by  the  forementioned  circumstances,  and  by  the  dissentions 
of  Christian  powers,  which  had  been  generated  by  war-prin- 
ciples, these  new-formed  armies  made  very  rapid  conquests, 
and  extended  their  power  far  and  wide.  So  great  was  their 
success  that,  in  a few  years,  they  formed  a gigantic  empire, 
which,  for  a long  time,  threatened  to  overturn  the  Christian 
world. 

But  pursuing  the  course  of  all  other  warring  nations,  their 
military  successes,  and  unrestrained  war  passions,  led  them 
at  length  into  luxury  and  debauchery,  which  produced  their 
natural  effects,  in  corrupting  and  effeminating  even  the 
mighty  and  warlike  Turks.  In  addition  to  this,  their  mili- 
tary pride  and  ambition,  by  which  their  empire  rose  to  such 
greatness,  produced  civil  dissensions  and  domestic  broils 
among  themselves,  which  so  weakened  their  power,  that 
they  declined  as  rapidly  as  they  had  risen.  Their  ferocious 
and  destructive  wars  and  conquests  had  so  exasperated  the 
conquered  nations,  and  excited  them  to  avenge  their  suffer- 
ings, that  powerful  combinations  were  formed  against  them, 
which  have  long  been  sapping  the  foundations  of  their  pow- 
er, and  weakening  the  energies  of  their  military  prowess. 
These,  together  with  their  own  domestic  divisions  and  jea- 
lousies, are  continually  rendering  them  still  more  miserable, 
and  hastening  their  downfall.  And  their  late  war  with  Rus- 
sia, appears  to  have  struck  the  fatal  stroke  to  their  power, 
and  dissolved  the  charm  of  Mahometan  invincibility.  So 
that  the  Ottoman  empire,  which  rose  by  war,  like  all  their 


D 2 


42 


predecessors  in  military  power  and  glory,  is  falling  by  the 
same  means. 

Many  other  examples  might  be  adduced,  to  show  the  ef- 
fects of  military  principles  on  warring  nations ; but  these 
are  deemed  amply  sufficient  to  prove  the  principle  we  have 
laid  down,  namely,  that  where  military  principles  are  main- 
tained, and  continued  in  practice,  by  any  nation,  so  far  are 
they  from  affording  protection  and  defence,  they  will  even- 
tually prove  the  ruin  of  its  morals  and  manners,  and  render 
the  people  more  miserable,  if  not  effect  their  total  destruc- 
tion, as  an  independent  nation. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Having  now  given  a brief  sketch  of  some  of  the  most 
noted  and  famous  warring  nations,  and  their  bloody  wars, 
from  the  earliest  ages  of  the  world,  down  to  more  mo- 
dern days,  we  would  request  the  reader  to  examine  the 
picture,  with  an  unprejudiced  eye,  which  is  here  but  faint- 
ly portrayed,  and  reflect  with  a serious,  candid  and  rational 
mind,  upon  the  nature  and  consequences  of  war,  and  war- 
like principles  and  passions,  in  all  ages,  and  then  say  whether 
it  is  possible  for  him  to  be  the  advocate  of  war,  or  its  prin- 
ciples and  preparations,  in  any  shape. 

Where  will  the  advocates  of  war  now  find  the  once  fer- 
tile, rich  and  powerful  kingdom  of  Egypt,  with  her  numer- 
ous armies,  which  like  the  waters  of  a deluge,  threatened 
to  cover  the  earth  with  their  immense  numbers  and  irresisti- 
ble power  ? Where  is  her  famous  city  of  Thebes,  with  its 
powerful  defences  and  “ infinite  strength  ?”  What  has  been 
the  fate  of  the  mighty  empire  of  the  ancient  Assyrians,  who 
once  deemed  her  power  superior  to  gods  and  men  ? What 
is  become  of  the  great  city  of  Nineveh,  with  her  mighty 
walls  and  lofty  towers — her  numerous  armies  and  wonder- 
ful strength  ? Where  is  the  once  highly  renowned  Chaldean 
empire  ? and  what  has  been  the  fate  of  the  great  city  of 
Babylon,  once  styled  “ the  glory  of  kingdoms  ?”  where  are 
her  impregnable  walls  and  great  riches — her  inexhaustible 
resources  and  mighty  strength  ? Where  is  the  once  vastly 
extensive  Medo-Persian  empire,  with  her  immense  riches, 
and  almost  innumerable  military  forces  ? What  has  become 
of  the  once  brave,  politic  and  powerful  Grecian  empire, 
whose  armies  caused  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  to  tremble 
before  them?  Where  is  the  far  famed  city  of  Tyre,  with 
her  inexhaustible  riches  and  mighty  power  ? What  has  been 


43 


the  fate  of  the  once  powerful  Carthagenian  empire,  and  the 
renowned  city  of  Carthage,  with  all  her  fleets  and  armies, 
her  warring  heroes  and  “ mighty  men  of  renown  ?”  Where 
are  the  once  noble,  hardy  and  invincible  Romans,  and  that 
mighty  city  which  was  long  known  as  the  proud  and  haugh- 
ty mistress  of  the  world  ? What  is  now  become  of  the  once 
invincible  Saracen  armies,  which,  swift  as  the  destroying 
locusts  in  their  flight,  seemed  to  threaten  destruction  to  the 
human  race?  Where  is  the  vast  empire  of  the  Tartars, 
whose  mighty  power  once  shook  the  whole  earth?  And 
what  is  now  become  of  the  once  gigantic  power  of  the 
Turks  ? 

We  might  still  extend  our  enquiries,  and  ask,  Where 
are  the  once  warlike  nations  of  Philistia  and  Syria  ?— of 
Edom,  and  Moab,  and  Ammon  ? — and  all  those  warring  na- 
tions whose  names  we  find  in  the  sacred  records  ? Alas ! 
they  exist  only  in  the  record  of  their  names,  and  their  once 
barbarous  and  sacreligious  deeds. 

In  short,  let  the  advocates  of  war  extend  their  enquiries 
through  every  region  of  the  habitable  globe,  and  will  they 
find  a single  independent  state  or  empire  remaining  of  all 
the  numerous  warring  nations  of  antiquity  ? Where  is  now 
their  once  resplendent  glory  and  terrible  warlike  power? 
Where  are  all  their  impregnable  walls,  their  powerful  forti- 
fications, their  military  preparations,  and  immense  armies? 
What  did  all  theif  expensive  and  formidable  preparations 
and  means  of  defence  avail  them  ? Have  they  protected  or 
preserved  in  existence  any  of  all  these  great  nations  ? Have 
they  saved  one  of  them  from  destruction  ? Have  they  not 
been  the  very  cause  of  destruction  and  dissolution  to  them 
all  ? Their  glory  is  faded,  like  a flaming  meteor,  that  flashes 
for  a moment  and  dies.  Their  power  is  fallen ; like  a rush- 
ing tornado,  that  vents  its  rage  and  is  gone.  Nothing  is 
left  behind  but  wrecks  of  cities  and  empires,  the  sad  monu- 
ments of  human  folly,  misery  and  woe!  And  where  are  all 
their  great  heroes,  and  “ mighty  men  of  renown,”  those 
“ sons  of  violence,”  who  have  been  the  prime  movers  of 
violence,  and  the  great  scourges  of  the  human  race,  among 
these  mighty  warring  nations  and  .kingdoms  ? Doubtless 
they  are  gone  to  receive  the  reward  of  their  works  : ‘ £ Mighty 
men  shall  be  mightily  tormented.” 

It  seems  that  the  most  inflexible  advocate  of  war  might 
here  learn  a lesson,  sufficient  to  convince  him  of  the  fatal 
tendency  of  the  art  of  war,  in  all  its  principles  and  practices  ; 
and  see,  at  once,  the  impossibility  of  promoting  the  wellbeing 


44 


of  a nation  thereby : for  the  fate  of  all  these  nations  clearly 
shows  that,  so  far  from  affording  any  permanent  protection 
to  any  people,  the  pursuit  of  military  science,  and  the  art 
of  wrar,  has  a direct  tendency  to  involve  a nation  in  the  ca- 
lamities of  war,  and  ultimately,  to  lead  it  to  ruin. 

To  show  that  military  preparations  cannot  preserve  the 
peace  of  a nation,  we  will  here  introduce  an  extract  from  an 
address  delivered  by  the  secretary  of  the  Hartford  Peace 
Society , in  that  city,  on  the  7th  of  September,  1828. 

“ It  is  a favorite  maxim  with  some,  that  preparation  for 
war,  is  the  best  preservative  of  peace.  But  has  not  this 
maxim  proved  false  in  fact  ? Let  us  look  at  Great  Britain. 
Has  her  constant  warlike  attitude,  and  her  sensitive  national 
pride,  secured  to  her  the  constant  possession  of  her  rights, 
and  the  inestimable  blessings  of  peace  ? If  so,  why  has  she 
been  complaining,  for  ages,  of  the  conduct  of  other  nations 
towards  her,  and  of  the  violation  of  their  treaties  ? And  why 
has  her  sword  been  unsheathed  forever?  From  the  year 
1110  to  the  present,  a period  of  about  seven  hundred  years, 
England  has  had  twenty-four  wars  with  France,  besides 
others.  Two  hundred  and  sixty  years  of  the  seven  hundred 
were  employed  by  these  nations  in  butchering  one  another. 
From  1161  to  1471,  a term  of  three  hundred  and  ten  years, 
one  hundred  and  eighty-six  were  spent  in  war.  From  1 368, 
they  were  at  war  one  hundred  and  one  years  in  one  hun- 
dred and  three,  having  a peace  only  of  two  years’  duration.” 
What  a fine  exemplification  of  the  principle  that  preparation 
for  war  is  the  best  preservative  of  peace  !# 

But  so  high  is  the  estimation  in  which  the  policy  of  war 
is  held,  by  political  rulers ; so  strong  is  the  current  of  po- 
pular prejudice  in  its  favor  ; and  so  congenial  are  its  princi- 
ples to  the  proud  and  ambitious  passions  of  man,  that,  in 
our  days,  even  professed  Christian  nations  still  continue  to 
maintain  its  practice,  and  exult  in  the  great  glory  to  be  ob- 
tained by  the  exploits  of  war.  And  instead  of  profiting  by 
the  sad  experience  of  all  ages,  they  still  continue  to  urge 
the  absolute  necessity  of  wars,  and  warlike  preparations, 
for  the  protection  and  defence  of  nations.  And  what  has 
been  the  result  ? Have  not  all  the  nations  of  Europe  acted 
upon  this  principle  ? Have  they  not  continued  to  improve 
upon  the  warlike  arts  of  their  ancestors  ? Have  they  not 
even  carried  the  science  of  war  to  a far  greater  extent  than 
it  was  ever  carried  by  the  warring  nations  of  antiquity  ? Yet 


See  Harbinger  of  Peace,  No.  7,  p.  165. 


45 


notwithstanding  all  their  arts  of  war,  with  all  their  vast 
military  preparations,  their  immense  armies,  and  their  un- 
bounded expense  to  maintain  its  principles,  what  has  it  all 
availed  ? Where  is  the  nation  on  the  continent  of  Europe, 
which  has  not  been  overrun  by  war  within  the  last  forty 
years  ? How  futile,  then,  have  been  all  their  wars  and  war- 
like preparations,  in  protecting  and  defending  these  nations ! 
and  how  fatal  and  terrible  have  been  the  effects ! 

Where  is  now  the  wonderful  military  genius  of  Napoleon  ? 
Where  are  his  mighty  armies,  which  so  lately  spread  terror 
and  devastation  through  all  Europe  ? What  is  become  of 
the  invincible  power  of  that  man,  who  made  nations  tremble 
before  him,  and  who  thought  himself  master  of  the  world  ? 
Was  not  the  Fre^h  empire  under  him  considered  uncon- 
querable ? Yet,  after  having  conquered  nearly  all  Europe, 
how  easily  did  the  hand  of  Divine  Providence,  in  just  re- 
tribution, accomplish  her  overthrow,  and  cause  her  haughty 
leader,  and  the  whole  nation,  to  drink  deeply  of  the  cup 
of  humiliation  and  misery,  which  they  had  so  largely  dealt 
out  to  other  nations. 

How  blind  and  infatuated  are  those  who  are  governed  by 
the  passions  of  war ! Why  will  they  not  learn  wisdom  by 
the  fatal  experience  of  all  ages  and  nations  before  them  ? 
What  but  absolute  infatuation  could  make  them  so  blind  to 
their  own  interests,  and  the  interests  of  their  country, — to 
their  own  best  good,  both  here  and  hereafter  ? 

Were  there  any  other  art  or  science  on  earth  which,  after 
having  been  proved  but  one  hundredth  part  as  much  as  the 
art  of  war,  and  been  attended  with  one  thousandth  part  of 
the  expense  and  fatal  consequences,  and  so  evidently  failed 
of  accomplishing  its  professed  object,  who  can  believe  that, 
in  this  enlightened  age,  it  would  still  continue  to  be  practi- 
ced ? Yet  the  present  generation,  with  all  their  professions 
of  generosity  and  humanity  to  their  enemies,  and  all  their 
pretensions  to  civilization  and  refinement,  mingling  the  blan- 
dishments of  a Chesterfield  with  the  horrid  weapons  of  mur- 
der, (strange  combination  !)  still  continue  to  rush  on  to  the 
bloody  combat,  as  if  glorying  to  excel  in  human  butchery, 
as  the  noblest  art  of  rational  beings.  And  after  having  car* 
ried  the  art  of  war,  with  all  its  attendant  calamities,  to  the 
utmost  height  of  destructive  refinement,  they  still  manifest 
very  small  symptoms  of  reformation,  and  are  yet  unwilling 
to  abandon  those  delusive  maxims,  that  u preparation  for 
war  is  the  surest  means  of  preserving  peace and  that,  u to 
cultivate  the  spirit  of  war,  and  make  great  military  prepa- 


46 


rations,  is  the  best  policy  of  a nation  ; because  it  is  the 
most  efficient  means  of  protection  and  defence.”  Fatal  de- 
lusion ! 

Those  who  do  not  consider  the  fatal  tendency  of  war 
principles,  often  adduce  the  destruction  of  those  ancient  na- 
tions and  cities,  as  sad  evidences  of  the  mutability  of  all 
earthly  things,  and  as  certain  proofs  of  the  supposed  inevita- 
ble decree  which  the  Almighty  has  imposed  on  states  and 
nations,  by  which  they  are  predestined  to  rise  and  fall.  But 
let  them  read  the  declarations  of  the  prophets,  who  foretold 
the  fate  of  these,  nations,  and  they  will  there  find  that  their 
moral  depravity  and  wickedness,  and  especially  the  violence 
and  corruption  produced  by  the  spirit  of  war,  were  the  real 
causes  which  brought  these  disasters  upon  them.  Hence 
we  may  learn  that  there  is  no  inscrutable  mystery  in  the 
fall  of  nations ; nor  any  other  predestination  in  their  fate, 
than  the  certain  visitations  of  Divine  Justice  upon  them,  as 
the  just  and  natural  consequences  of  their  own  works. 

When  will  the  warring  nations  of  Christendom  learn,  by 
fatal  experience,  the  truth  of  the  following  sacred  proverbs, 
namely  ; “ Except  the  Lord  keep  the  city,  the  watchman 
waketh  in  vain.* — The  race  is  not  to  the  swift,  nor  the 
battle  to  the  strong,  j' — He  that  is  slow  to  anger  is  better 
than  the  mighty  ; and  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit,  than  he  that 
taketh  a city. J — Wisdom  is  better  than  weapons  of  war.”|| 
The  whole  preceding  sketch  of  the  fate  of  warring  nations, 
clearly  proves  the  truth  of  these  sacred  passages.  When 
therefore,  we  ask,  will  the  nations  of  Christendom  lay  aside 
their  degrading  and  destructive  war  principles,  on  which 
. they  so  confidently  rely  for  strength  and  safety,  and  learn 
that  portion  of  true  wisdom  which  is  better  than  strength, — 
the  wisdom  of  prudence , virtue  and  peace  ? 


*Ppa,  cxxvii  1,  jEccl.ix,  11.  t Prov,  xvi,  32.  ||  Eccl.  ix.  18. 


PART  II 


THE  SUCCESS  OF  THE  ISRAELITES  IN  WAR  NOT  DEPENDENT 

ON  THEIR  MILITARY  FORCES,  BUT  ON  THE  FAVOR  OF 

DIVINE  PROVIDENCE. 

Cursed  be  the  man  that  trusteth  in  man,  and  maketh  flesh  his  arm,  and 
whose  heart  departeth  from  the  Lord  : for  he  shall  be  like  the  heath  in 
the  desert,  and  shall  not  see  when  good  cometh. — Blessed  is  the  man 
that  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  and  whose  hope  the  Lord  is  : for  he  shall  be 
as  a tree  planted  by  the  waters.  Jer.  xvii.  5 — 8. 

THE  PRINCIPLES  OF  WAR  DELUSIVE. 

So  great  is  the  popular  delusion,  and  so  inveterate  the 
force  of  prejudice  on  the  subject  of  war,  that  notwithstand- 
ing all  the  facts  which  have  been  stated  in  the  preceding 
pages,  probably  very  few  will  readily  be  persuaded  to  re- 
linquish those  delusive  maxims  which  have  so  long  pre- 
vailed in  the  world,  and  which  are  still  so  artfully  and  strenu- 
ously advocated  and  maintained  by  ambitious  statesmen  and 
warriors. 

These  maxims  teach  that, “ As  wars  always  have  existed, 
so  they  always  must  exist and  that,  “ there  is  no  security 
to  any  state  or  nation  without  military  preparations  for  de- 
fence and  protection  or  in  other  words,  that  there  is  no 
security  without  trusting  in  “ an  arm  of  flesh.”  The  plain 
language  of  this  is,  that  there  is  no  safety  in  putting  our 
trust  in  God,  and  submitting  our  lives,  liberties  and  property 
to  his  protection,  who  alone  is  able  to  preserve  them  ; and 
therefore  we  must  be  prepared  to  defend  ourselves  by  the 
strength  of  our  own  arms,  and  put  ourselves  in  a position  to 
destroy  the  lives  of  our  fellow  creatures,  at  the  risk  of  an 
equal  destruction  of  our  own,  as  the  only  means  of  safety  ! 
And  this  we  must  do  at  the  expense  of  violating  the  express 
command  of  God,  “ Thou  shaltnot  kill.”  This  is  consider- 
ed by  the  deluded  sons  of  war  as  the  only  path  of  safety, 
glory  and  honor,  and  is  the  clear  import,  the  very  spirit  of 
their  military  principles  and  maxims.  By  this  they  evident- 
ly show  that  they  “put  their  trust  in  man,  and  make  flesh 
their  arm  ;”  therefore,  instead  of  being  under  the  blessing 
and  protection  of  God,  they  are  under  the  curse  ; and  hence 
they  “ see  not  when  good  cometh.” 

When  nations  are  so  far  removed  from  God  by  their  pride 
and  wickedness,  as  to  be  conscious  of  having  no  just  right  to 
look  to  him  for  his  blessing  and  protection,  they  are  natural- 


48 


ly  led  to  put  their  trust  in  an  arm  of  flesh ; because  they  have 
no  other  resource.  They  are  “ like  the  heath  in  the  desert,” 
and  do  not  see  the  good  that  comes  from  God,  to  those  who 
justly  and  confidently  put  their  trust  in  him.  It  is  not  a 
matter  of  surprise,  that  those  who  distrust  the  protection  of 
God,  should  believe  that  their  only  safety  is  in  an  arm  of 
flesh ; nor  is  it  strange  that,  when  they  are  at  war  with 
others  of  the  same  principle,  they  should  sometimes  appear 
to  be  protected  and  defended  by  the  arms  of  war.  For 
when  both  parties  trust  solely  to  their  military  power  and 
skill  for  success,  if  there  should  be  any  victory  in  the  issue, 
one  or  the  other  must  be  victorious.  But  an  impartial  his- 
tory of  wars,  and  warring  nations,  will  show  that  this  seem- 
ing protection  has  seldom,  if  ever,  been  any  thing  more  than 
appearance  ; not  any  thing  real  and  substantial : and  it  often 
happens  that  the  victors  suffer  as  much  as  the  vanquished  ; 
and  great  loss  of  life  and  treasure  is,  most  generally,  the 
fate  of  both  parties 

The  most  powerful  armies  ever  raised,  and  the  nqost  im- 
pregnable fortifications  ever  erected,  have  often  been  over- 
thrown and  destroyed  by  means  comparatively  small  and 
insignificant.  This  clearly  proves  that,  “ the  race  is  not  to 
the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong.”  From  the  history 
of  wars  and  military  establishments  and  preparations,  in  all 
ages,  together  with  their  nature  and  effects,  it  appears  evident 
that,  altho  they  have  been  maintained  under  the  impression 
that  they  were,  honorable  to  the  nation,  and  the  only  sure 
means  of  its  protection  ; yet  they  have  often  had  a very 
different  effect,  and  not  unfrequently  proved  the  nation’s 
ruin. 

It  is  well  known,  tho  not  duly  considered,  that  wars  pro- 
duce the  most  demoralizing  effects  upon  nations  and  indi- 
viduals. They  excite  and  call  into  action  the  most  ignoble 
passions  of  human  nature.  It  is  often  said  by  the  advocates 
of  war,  that  it  takes  off  the  refuse  of  mankind,  and  renders 
a nation  more  moral.  But  facts  prove  the  contrary,  and 
clearly  show  that  where  it  takes  off  one  such,  it  makes  ten. 
As  war  usually  calls  forth  the  young  men  of  a nation  ; so  a 
protracted  war  generally  corrupts  almost  the  whole  rising 
generation.  War  is  truly  a school  of  vice  and  immorality  ; 
it  is  a nursery  for  thieves,  robbers  and  murderers.  In  short, 
it  is  attended  with  the  production  and  growth  of  every  vice 
that  ever  contaminated  the  nature  of  man.  These  effects 
of  war  cannot  be  denied  by  any  rational  person,  who  is  ac- 
quainted with  the  history  of  war,  and  has  traced  its  conse- 


49 


quences.  Indeed,  the  real  character  and  conduct  of  many 
of  the  most  successful,  and  highly  celebrated  military  chiefs, 
whose  conquering  fame  and  bloody  exploits  have  been  em- 
blazoned on  the  pages  of  history,  were  they  generally  known 
and  properly  appreciated,  would  degrade  them  to  the  low- 
est rank  of  infamy. 

Hence  a bloody  battle,  instead  of  being  celebrated  as  the 
glorious  victory  of  a distinguished  chief,  ought  to  be  consider- 
ed, as  it  is  in  fact,  the  most  infamous,  the  most  degrading, 
the  most  horrid  and  detestable  transaction  that  can  possibly 
mark  the  character  of  a rational  being.  Fallen  and  degra- 
ded as  mankind  are,  by  their  wicked  works,  nothing  sinks 
them  so  far  below  the  most  ferocious  beasts  of  the  forest, 
as  the  barbarous  practice  of  destroying  the  lives  of  their  own 
species,  and  inflicting  upon  them  the  usual  horrid  calamities 
and  depredations  of  war.  These  worse  than  beastly  trans- 
actions may  indeed  be  the  work  of  common  soldiers  ; but 
they  are  not  committed  with  a view  to  avenge  their  own 
wrongs  ; that  is  quite  out  of  the  question.  It  is  presumed 
that  common  soldiers,  especially  those  who  are  drawn  into 
the  army  against  their  own  inclinations,  seldom  think  of 
gratifying  private  ambition,  or  of  getting  themselves  a name 
by  their  barbarous  exploits ; but  being  under  martial  law, 
they  must  obey  the  ambitious  and  tyrannical  mandates  of  an 
aspiring  chief,  who  seeks  for  deathless  fame  through  deeds 
of  death. 

But  the  modern  plea  in  favor  of  war  is  national  defence. 
A pitiful  and  delusive  plea  ! With  much  more  ease,  and 
vastly  less  expense,  might  any  country  be  defended  by  the 
principles  of  peace  than  by  those  of  war.  The  experience 
of  all  ages  has  abundantly  proved  that  public  wars,  instead 
of  defending  or  benefitting  a nation,  have  ever  been  the 
cause  of  calamity  and  destruction,  misery  and  ruin  to  man- 
kind. Indeed  it  is  the  opinion  of  many,  that  the  aggregate 
amount  of  misery  to  the  human  race,  occasioned  by  war, 
has  exceeded  that  of  all  the  plagues,  and  awful  visitations 
of  Divine  Providence,  that  ever  took  place  since  man  exist- 
ed on  earth.  Who  then,  that  has  a heart  of  humanity  in 
his  bosom,  can  avoid  deploring  the  existence  of  that  infatua- 
ted spirit,  that  impels  so  many  civilized  nations,  and  so  ma- 
ny millions  of  rational  beings,  into  the  horrors  of  war. 

Since  wars  have  been  invariably  attended  with  more  loss 
than  gain,  why  should  such  miserable  means  of  defence  be 
continued  any  longer  ? Can  any  but  madmen  hesitate  to 
renounce  these  barbarous  principles,  and  adopt  principles 

E 


50 


better  calculated  to  insure  success  ? Do  not  better  principles 
exist  ? and  have  they  not  been  sufficiently  proved  ? Are 
not  the  principles  of  peace  more  conducive  to  the  happiness 
of  a nation  ? and  do  they  not  afford  a greater  security 
against  violence  and  aggression  ? Have  they  ever  failed  of 
success  when  fairly  tested  ? And  in  this  enlightened  age, 
wherein  we  are  so  highly  favored  with  the  boasted  reign  of 
reason,  and  the  mild  influence  of  civilization,  will  any  per- 
son of  candor  pretend  to  deny,  that  pacific  principles  would 
eventually  redound  more  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  a nation, 
than  the  most  successful  war  possibly  could  do,  in  the  pre- 
sent state  of  the  world  ? 

Altho  the  experience  of  ages  has  proved  that  the  science 
of  war,  with  all  its  preparations,  cannot  be  relied  upon  for 
protection  and  defence  ; yet  the  fatal  delusion  is  still  kept 
up.  Military  fame  is  counted  a glorious  object  of  pursuit, 
and  the  deluded  multitude  are  enchained  in  the  foolish  be- 
lief, that  these  things  are  unavoidable  and  absolutely  neces- 
sary. But  let  the  eyes  of  mankind  be  fairly  opened — let 
them  have  a clear  view  of  the  real  nature  and  effects  of 
war,  when  divested  of  all  its  delusive  glare,  and  they  will 
at  once  see  the  astonishing  contrast  between  the  principles 
of  war  and  peace.  They  will  then  see  that  on  the  former 
there  can  be  no  safe  dependence  for  protection ; and  that  the 
latter  is  the  only  wise  policy  that  any  nation  can  reasonably 
pursue. 

The  ambitious  pride  and  corrupt  passions  of  man,  have 
been  so  long  nourished  and  strengthened  by  the  principles  of 
war,  that  pacific  principles  have  not  had  so  extensive  a trial 
as  those  of  war  ; yet  so  far  as  they  have  been  fairly  proved, 
they  have  never  failed  of  success,  in  maintaining  peace  and 
happiness,  and  preserving  the  honor  and  prosperity  of  the 
nation  or  people  who  adopted  them.  And  let  any  nation 
fully  adopt  the  principles  of  peace,  and  conduct  with  jus- 
tice and  fairness  in  all  their  transactions  with  others,  and  put 
their  trust  in  the  protection  of  Divine  Providence,  and  they 
will  have  nothing  to  fear  from  the  arms  of  war . T o show  that 
this  has  been  sufficiently  proved,  we  will  take  a view  of  the 
effects  of  pacific  principles,  in  various  ages  of  the  world,  as 
we  find  them  recorded  in  history,  and  let  them  stand  in  con- 
trast with  the  principles  of  war.  We  shall  begin  with  the 
Israelites,  the  once  covenant  people  of  God. 


51 


THE  ISRAELITES. 

It  is  well  known  that  when  this  chosen  people  were  un- 
der bondage  in  Egypt,  they  were  not  delivered  by  the  arms 
of  war,  but  by  the  mighty  hand  of  Omnipotent  Power. — 
Surely  none  will  pretend  that  their  numbers  were  not  suffi- 
cient to  accomplish  their  deliverance  by  an  arm  of  flesh. — 
Nor  would  it  have  been  so  extraordinary  for  them  to  have 
effected  their  deliverance  by  war,  as  many  war  events  that 
have  taken  place  between  contending  nations.  Why  then 
were  they  not  directed  to  deliver  themselves  by  warj?  It 
seems  however  that  God,  in  his  wisdom,  saw  fit  to  prepare 
a way  by  which  their  enemies  were  totally  destroyed  ; and 
they  were  delivered  from  their  bondage,  without  the  use  of 
sword  or  spear.  It  may  be  said,  truly,  that  these  things 
were  designed  and  brought  about,  to  show  the  mighty  pow- 
er of  God.  But  can  it  be  denied  that  God  is  the  same  God 
now  that  he  was  then  ? 

It  may  be  said  that  warriors  have  often  obtained  their  ob- 
ject and  come  off  victorious.  The  same  may  also  be  said 
of  robbers  and  murderers  ; but  this  cannot  justify  acts  of 
robbery  and  murder,  nor  screen  the  perpetrators  from  deser- 
ved punishment.  We  feel  no  hesitation  in  asserting  that, 
without  the  Divine  approbation,  or  the  express  command  of 
God,  clearly  manifested,  no  advantages  have  ever  been 
gained  by  war,  which  might  not  have  been  more  easily  gain- 
ed under  the  influence  of  pacific  principles.  And,  generally 
speaking,  the  benefits  resulting  from  successful  wars,  have 
been  counterbalanced  by  a much  greater  portion  of  suffer- 
ings and  loss,  on  the  part  of  the  victorious  nation,  exclusive 
of  the  disasters  suffered  by  the  vanquished. 

After  the  Israelites  were  delivered  from  their  Egyptian 
bondage,  Amalek  made  war  upon  them.  And  altho  they 
were  then  under  the  necessity  of  fighting  in  their  own  de- 
fence ; yet  it  appears  evident  that  the  victory  did  not  de- 
pend on  the  force  of  arms,  but  upon  the  operations  of  Di- 
vine Providence : as  may  be  seen  in  Exodus  xvii.  8,  and 
onward.  The  wars  of  the  Israelites  against  the  Midian- 
ites,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  land  of  Canaan,  were  evi- 
dently undertaken  by  Divine  authority.  But  in  searching 
the  characters  of  those  nations,  we  find  sufficient  evidence 
that  it  was  in  consequence  of  their  abominable  wickedness, 
that  God  gave  the  Israelites  power  and  authority  to  destroy 
them.  These  nations,  by  their  abominations,  had  become  a 
curse  to  the  earth  ; and  as  the  law  knew  no  mercy,  and 


52 


Christ  had  not  then  appeared  to  open  the  door  of  mercy, 
God  had  a just  right  to  send  his  own  covenant  people  to  de- 
stroy them,  and  take  their  place.  And  as  the  dispensations 
of  Divine  Providence,  under  the  law,  were  figurative  of 
future  events,  under  the  dispensations  of  the  gospel ; so  the 
destruction  of  the  wicked  and  corrupt  inhabitants  of  the 
land  of  Canaan,  by  God’s  covenant  people,  was  figurative 
of  the  destruction  of  the  old  natural  man,  with  all  his  cor- 
rupt propensities,  by  the  new  man,  who  is  brought  into  the 
true  spiritual  covenant  of  Christ. 

But  why  should  Christian  professors,  of  the  present  day, 
plead  a divine  command  to  make  war  upon  their  fellow 
Christians  ? Is  it  because  Christian  nations  bear  the  cha- 
racter of  those  impious  heathen  nations  of  Canaan,  against 
whom  God  commanded  the  Israelites  to  make  war  ? Un- 
fortunately, it  is  to  be  feared  that  many  of  them  exceed  that 
character  in  wickedness.  But  if  any  Christian  nation  is  so 
far  sunk  in  wickedness,  as  to  become  a curse  to  the  earth, 
and  incur  the  Divine  vengeance,  who  is  to  judge  them  ? and 
who  is  to  execute  that  judgment  ? Is  it  those  who  are 
themselves  equally  guilty  ? If  they  are  to  be  punished  by 
war,  it  ought  to  be  by  the  decision  of  thejrighteous  Judge  of 
all  the  earth,  and  by  that  only. 

If  Christian  rulers  choose  to  take  the  Mosaic  law  for  their 
authority,  and  undertake  to  execute  judgment  upon  their 
guilty  brethren  ; they  ought  not  only  to  know  that  they 
themselves  are  guiltless  of  the  like  crimes,  but  also  to  know 
that  they  are  authorized  by  a special  command  of  God  to  do 
it : And  even  then,  they  must  be  considered  as  under  the 
law  of  Moses,  and  not  under  the  gospel  of  Christ.  For  tho 
we  readily  admit  that,  under  the  law,  God  did  sometimes 
authorize  the  Israelites  to  be  the  executioners  of  his  judg- 
ments upon  wicked  nations  ; yet  we  do  not  find  that  Jesus 
Christ  ever  commissioned  his  followers  to  administer  judg- 
ments, or  to  destroy  men’s  lives  ; but  to  teach  the  way  of 
peace,  and  administer  mercy  to  all. 

We  presume  that  the  plea  of  God’s  having  authorized 
the  Jewish  wars,  is  advanced  merely  as  a plea  of  justifica- 
tion, in  favor  of  the  wars  waged  by  professed  Christian  na- 
tions. But  it  ought  to  be  considered  that  this  plea  will  equal- 
ly justify  the  destruction  of  a whole  nation  in  war,  men, 
women  and  children,  even  all  in  whom  is  found  the  breath 
of  life : for  concerning  the  Canaanites,  the  command  of  God 
to  the  Israelites  was,  “ Thou  shalt  save  alive  nothing  that 


5S 


breatheth.*’*  And  if  the  advocates  of  war  consider  the 
Jewish  wars  as  any  example  for  them  to  follow,  they  must, 
upon  the  same  principle,  admit  the  command  of  God  con- 
cerning the  Canaanites,  to  have  its  full  force,  as  an  exam- 
ple. And  they  ought  also  to  ascertain,  to  a certainty,  which 
of  the  two  professed  Christian  nations  going  to  war,  are  the 
wicked  Canaanites,  who  are  to  be  utterly  destroyed,  and 
which  are  God’s  covenant  people,  who  are  to  execute  those 
bloody  commands. 

But  such  commands,  at  the  present  day,  would  probably 
appear  too  revolting  to  humanity  to  find  many  advocates, 
even  among  the  bloodshedding  sons  of  war.  And  if  modern 
Christians  cannot  be  justified  in  going  to  the  same  extent  of 
destruction  against  their  enemies,  they  cannot  be  justified  in 
making  war  at  all : for  war  is  war ; and  it  must  be  attended 
with  more  or  less  destruction  upon  the  lives  and  property  of 
their  fellow  beings,  whether  it  is  waged  by  Christians,  Pa- 
gans or  Turks.  If  Christians  can  he  justified  in  making 
war  upon  their  fellow  Christians,  we  would  ask  to  what  ex- 
tent of  blood  and  slaughter  can  they  go,  without  violating 
the  precepts  of  their  Divine  Lord  and  Master  ? This  is  a 
serious  question ; and  Christians  ought  to  know  the  extent 
of  their  Christian  authority,  before  they  commence  the 
bloody  work  of  death  upon  their  fellow  Christians. 

Some  of  the  strenuous  advocates  of  war  attempt  to  justi- 
fy it  by  the  following  argument,  namely  : l<  As  the  nature 
of  man  is  essentially  the  same,  in  all  ages,  and  God  is  an 
unchangeable  Being ; therefore,  since  it  is  evident  from  the 
records  of  scripture,  that  wars  were  formerly  authorized  by 
the  command  of  God,  they  must  have  been  agreeable  to  his 
will.  And  if  they  were  ever  agreeable  to  the  will  of  God, 
they  must  be  so  now : for  being  unchangeable  in  his  nature, 
that  which  was  once  agreeable  to  his  will,  must  still  remain 
so,  and  must,  of  course,  be  just  and  right  in  his  view.” — 
But  it  seems  that  these  enlightened  reasoners  do  not  consi- 
der that  the  same  argument  would  equally  prove  the  neces- 
sity of  circumcision,  as  well  as  all  the  injunctions  of  the  Le- 
vitical  law,  upon  Christians  of  the  present  day.  As  well 
might  they  urge  the  propriety  of  enforcing  those  penalties  of 
the  Jewish  law  of  burning  and  stoning  to  death,  for  specific 
crimes  ; because  the  penalties  were  of  Divine  authority,  and 
God  is  unchangeable. 


* Deut.  xx.  16. 


E2 


54 


A just  and  wise  lawgiver  will  give  laws  according  to  the 
circumstances  which  render  those  laws  necessary ; and  a 
change  of  law  argues  no  change  in  such  a lawgiver.  The 
law  of  Moses  was  given  in  an  ignorant  and  barbarous  age  of 
the  world,  and  was  designed  for  wise  purposes.  And  are 
Christians  of  the  present  day  advanced  no  further  in  human 
civilization,  than  the  nations  and  people  of  that  barbarous 
age  ? Does  it  reflect  any  honor  upon  Christianity,  for  mo- 
dern Christians  to  shelter  themselves  under  those  sanguinary 
laws,  which  governed  such  a savage  state  of  the  world  ? — 
How  does  this  comport  with  their  high  pretensions  to  su- 
perior light  and  knowledge  ? or  with  their  boasted  claims  to 
greater  humanity  and  civilization  ? 

The  deliverance  of  the  Israelites  from  their  Egyptian 
bondage,  by  Divine  Power,  was  designed  as  a type,  or  fig- 
ure, of  the  future  deliverance  of  his  people  from  the  bon- 
dage of  sin  and  Satan,  by  the  power  of  God.  The  accom- 
plishment of  this  great  work,  without  the  power  of  arms, 
was  an  evidence  that  God  needed  not  an  arm  of  flesh  to 
accomplish  his  purposes,  or  to  effect  any  deliverance  which 
was  according  to  his  will. 

It  was  also  well  calculated  to  show,  to  all  ages,  that  the 
protection  or  deliverance  of  any  people  or  nation,  depends 
entirely  upon  the  operations  of  Divine  Providence,  whether 
these  operations  are  apparent  to  man  or  not.  This  remark- 
able deliverance  was  doubtless  designed  also,  to  show  the 
Israelites  the  necessity  of  trusting  in  God,  and  not  in  them- 
selves. And  it  ought  to  teach  all  people  a lesson  of  depen- 
dence upon  God ; lest  they  should  be  puffed  up  with  pride, 
and  begin  to  boast  that  their  own  arm  has  saved  them ; 
which  is  the  natural  consequence  of  success  in  war.  “ These 
things  were  written  for  our  admonition,  on  whom  the  ends 
of  the  world  are  come.”* 

How  easy  it  might  have  been,  in  the  order  of  Divine 
Providence,  calculating  upon  the  strength  of  human  power 
alone,  for  six  hundred  thousand  Israelites,  “ that  were  able 
to  go  forth  to  war,”f  to  have  fought  their  way  through,  and 
obtained  their  freedom  ! Yet  the  wisdom  of  God  directed 
that  it  should  be  accomplished  through  the  operations  of  his 
Divine  Power,  without  any  warlike  operations  on  the  part 
of  the  Israelites.  When  this  is  duly  considered,  it  must 
appear  evident,  that  the  extraordinary  manner  of  this  deli- 
verance, and  the  lesson  it  is  calculated  to  teach  mankind, 


* 1 Cor.  x.  11. 


tNum.  i.  46. 


55 


must  have  an  important  bearing  upon  the  question  concern- 
ing the  policy  of  war  and  peace,  and  whether  it  is  better  to 
trust  in  an  arm  of  flesh,  or  in  the  providence  of  God. 

After  the  Israelites  were  established  in  the  promised  land, 
so  long  as  they  strictly  kept  the  law,  and  did  not  unite  nor 
intermeddle  with  the  neighboring  nations,  they  generally  en- 
joyed the  blessings  of  peace,  and  were  but  rarely  afflicted 
with  wars.  But  whenever  they  turned  their  hearts  to  fol- 
low the  customs  and  practices  of  other  nations,  and  trans- 
gressed their  own  laws,  they  were  generally  visited  by  the 
scourge  of  war,  and  suffered  the  invasion  of  their  territo- 
ries. But  they  rarely  found  any  deliverance,  or  had  any 
success  against  their  enemies,  excepting  where  it  was  effect- 
ed by  the  operations  of  Divine  Providence,  rather  than  by 
the  force  of  arms. 

When  the  children  of  Israel  were  oppressed  by  the  Mi- 
dianites,  and  Gideon  was  raised  up  for  their  deliverance,  a 
great  army  of  the  Israelites  was  raised  for  that  purpose. — 
But  the  Lord  said  to  Gideon,.  “ The  people  that  are  with 
thee  are  too  many  for  me  to  give  the  Midianites  into  their 
hands,  lest  Israel  vaunt  themselves  against  me,  saying,  Mine 
own  hand  hath  saved  me.”*  Such  is  the  boasting  nature 
of  the  spirit  of  war.  But  Gideon,  in  obedience  to  the  com- 
mand of  God,  took  only  three  hundred  men,  who  were  se- 
lected by  a particular  sign  ; and  with  this  number,  under 
the  Divine  direction,  the  mighty  host  of  Midianites,  who 
were  compared  to  grasshoppers  for  their  vast  numbers,  were 
entirely  defeated,  without  the  use  of  sword  or  spear,  on  the 
part  of  Gideon  and  Iris  men,  and  the  Israelites  were  deliver- 
ed. 

After  this  remarkable  victory,  we  find  the  nature  and  dis- 
position of  the  war-spirit  discovering  itself  in  the  Ephraim- 
ites,  who  were  highly  offended  with  Gideon,  because  he  did 
not  invite  them  to  the  battle.  Hence  it  appears  evident 
that  their  object  was,  to  acquire  honor  to  themselves,  instead 
of  giving  the  glory  to  God.  And  had  Gideon  gone  forth 
with  his  whole  army,  and  defeated  the  enemy  by  the  power 
of  arms,  his  warriors  would  undoubtedly  have  taken  the 
honor  of  the  victory  to  themselves.  This  has  been  the 
character  and  disposition  of  warring  nations,  in  all  ages  of 
the  world  : for  although  they  have  often,  and  perhaps  gene- 
rally, pretended  to  give  honor  to  some  deity  or  other,  whom 


Judges  vii. 


56 


they  professed  to  acknowledge ; yet  their  greatest  pride  has 
been  to  glory  in  their  own  exploits. 

The  Israelites,  by  their  frequent  rebellions  against  the  law 
of  God,  had  so  far  lost  the  Divine  protection,  that  the  sur- 
rounding nations  were  suffered  to  overpower  them,  and  ma- 
ny times  to  chastise  them  with  great  severity.  And  tho 
they  were  frequently  embroiled  in  war  with  the  neighboring 
nations  ; yet,  with  all  their  military  bravery  and  skill  in 
arms,  they  could  not  defend  themselves  in  war,  without  the 
aid  of  Divine  Providence  ; but  were  often  reduced  by  the 
power  of  their  enemies,  to  the  very  brink  of  ruin.  They 
were  in  a very  critical  situation  at  the  time  when  David,  by 
Divine  authority,  was  anointed  their  king. 

KING  DAVID  AND  HIS  SUCCESSORS. 

KING  DAVID,  for  a long  time,  appears  to  have  possessed 
great  piety  and  humility.  He  evidently  placed  his  whole 
trust  in  God,  and  was  a strict  observer  of  the  law  ; nor  did 
he  engage  in  war,  without  first  consulting  the  Divine  Ora- 
cle, and  looking  to  God  for  direction.  By  this  means,  he 
went  forth  in  the  strength  of  the  God  of  Israel,  and  was 
successful  in  delivering  the  children  of  Israel  from  all  their 
enemies,  and  extending  their  borders  to  the  utmost  bounds 
of  the  land  which  had  been  promised  to  the  seed  of  Abra- 
ham. 

But  by  a constant  train  of  successes  against  his  enemies, 
it  appears  that,  in  process  of  time,  he  conceived  himself  in- 
vincible in  war,  and  was  not  so  careful,  as  formerly,  to  ask 
counsel  of  God ; but  made  wars  of  his  own  accord,  either 
for  conquest  or  revenge.  His  ambition  and  self-confidence 
seems  to  have  increased  upon  him,  till  at  length,  he  was  led 
into  crimes  which  brought  the  judgment  of  God  upon  him, 
with  a threatening  denunciation,  that  “the  sword  should 
never  depart  from  his  house.” 

But  notwithstanding  all  the  pleas  in  favor  of  war,  which 
are  drawn  from  David’s  example,  and  the  aid  and  authority 
he  received  from  Divine  Providence,  it  appears  that  God 
would  not  suffer  him  to  build  the  house  of  the  Lord  ; because 
he  wasaman  of  war.  In  his  charge  to  Solomon,  he  says,  “ It 
was  in  my  mind  to  build  a house  unto  the  name  of  the  Lord 
my  God  ; but  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  me,  saying, 
‘ Thou  hast  shed  blood  abundantly,  and  hast  made  great 
wars : thou  shalt  not  build  a house  unto  my  name  ; be- 
cause thou  hast  shed  much  blood  upon  tire  earth  in  my  sight. 


57 


Behold  a son  shall  be  born  to  thee,  who  shall  be  a man  of 
rest ; and  I will  give  him  rest  from  all  his  enemies  round 
about : for  his  name  shall  be  Solomon,  and  I will  give  peace 
and  quietness  unto  Israel  in  his  days.  He  shall  build  a 
house  for  my  .name  ; and  he  shall  be  my  son,  and  I will  be 
his  father ; and  I will  establish  the  throne  of  his  kingdom 
over  Israel  forever.’ 

KING  SOLOMON  was  an  eminent  type  of  Christ,  and  his 
pacific  reign  was  figurative  of  the  peaceable  reign  of  the 
Messiah,  the  Prince  of  peace,  and  was  designed  to  show 
forth  to  mankind  the  peaceable  nature  of  his  Kingdom.  It 
also  showed  that  the  warlike  reign  of  David,  however  just 
it  might  be  under  the  law,  could  have  no  part  in  that  ever- 
lasting Kingdom  of  peace,  to  be  established  by  the  Messiah, 
in  which  war  and  violence  shall  be  unknown,  and  of  which 
there  will  be  no  end. 

Here  is  displayed  a most  important  lesson  to  mankind. 
But  such  is  the  inveterate  and  powerful  influence  of  military 
principles,  that  the  advocates  of  war  appear  to  be  blind,  even 
to  the  most  plain  and  positive  facts,  which  seem  to  operate, 
in  any  manner  against  the  unjust  nature  and  destructive 
principles  of  war.  How  clearly  it  appears,  from  the  fore- 
going significant  and  striking  figure,  that  the  very  nature 
and  spirit  of  war  is  utterly  opposed  to  the  spirit  of  Christian- 
ity ! Hence  it  is  certain,  that  no  warring  spirit  can  have 
any  part  in  the  Kingdom  of  Christ.  • 

It  appears  that  king  David,  even  at  a time  when  wars 
were  as  justifiable,  perhaps,  as  any  wars  ever  were,  could 
not  be  permitted  to  build  the  house  of  the  Lord ; because 
he  had  been  a man  of  war.  And  yet  that  house,  or  temple 
of  the  Lord,  was  but  a figure  of  the  true  temple  of  God, 
which  Christ  was  to  build  on  earth,  in  the  latter  day,  and 
which  indeed  is  the  true  Church  of  Christ,  built  up  of  holy 
souls,  for  a habitation  of  God.  And  is  it  reasonable  to  sup- 
pose, that  those  who  are  under  the  influence  of  the  spirit  of 
war,  can  build  and  inhabit  the  true  temple  of  God,  when 
king  David  himself  could  not  be  permitted  to  build  the 
figurative  temple,  because  he  was  a man  of  war  ? Nothing 
was  considered  so  great  a pollution  to  the  Jewish  temple, 
as  the  blood  and  dead  bodies  of  men.  Can  any  rational  per- 
son then  suppose,  that  the  true  spiritual  temple  of  Christ 
would  not  be  defiled  by  shedding  blood,  and  taking  the  life 


* X Chron.  xxii.  7 — 10, 


58 


of  man  ? The  very  idea  is  revolting  to  the  spirit  of  the  gos- 
pel, and  to  all  consistent  ideas  of  Christianity. 

By  the  peaceable  and  prosperous  reign  of  king  Solomon, 
mankind  may  learn  two  important  lessons.  First,  that 
there  is  a peculiar  blessing,  prosperity,  happiness  and  glory 
resulting  from  a state  of  peace,  which  can  never  be  enjoyed 
in  a state  of  war.  Second,  that  Christ’s  Kingdom  cannot, 
of  a certainty,  admit  of  wars  and  fightings.  The  wisdom 
and  justice  of  Solomon  was  far  more  effectual,  in  subduing 
the  hostile  spirit  of  the  neighboring  nations,  and  preserving 
peace  in  the  land,  than  all  that  had  ever  been  done  by  all 
the  wars  of  his  father ; and  his  peaceable  administration  in- 
creased the  glory  and  happiness  of  his  people  and  nation, 
beyond  that  of  any  other  nation  on  earth.  Indeed  we  have 
no  account  in  ancient  or  modern  history,  of  any  kingdom 
or  nation  that  ever  was  so  signally  honored  and  respected, 
or  that  ever  enjoyed  so  great  a degree  of  power  and  influ- 
ence, glory  and  happiness,  as  that  of  the  Israelites,  during 
the  greater  part  of  Icing  Solomon’s  reign.* 

During  this  peaceable  reign,  that  extraordinary  temple 
was  built,  which  far  exceeded,  in  temporal  glory,  that  of 
any  other  edifice  ever  erected  on  earth.  This  glorious  tem- 
ple was  but  a figure  of  the  Church  or  Kingdom  of  Christ, 
which  is  to  be  built  entirely  through  the  operations  of  the 
principles  of  peace  ; in  which  the  sound  of  war  can  no  more 
be  heard,  than  the  sound  of  axe  or  hammer  was  heard 
in  the  building  of  this  temple.  And  this  Church  and  peace- 
able Kingdom,  will  as  far  exceed  in  glory  all  other  spiritual 
buildings  or  kingdoms,  as  the  temple  and  kingdom  of  Solo- 
mon exceeded  all  other  buildings,  or  earthly  kingdoms,  in 
glory. 

Let  the  serious  professor  of  Christianity  pause,  and  reflect 
on  the  remarkable  circumstances  attending  the  building  of 
this  figurative  temple ; and  consider  the  predictions  of  the 
prophets  concerning  it ; and  contemplate  the  great  work  it 
was  designed  to  typify  ; and  then  say  whether  he  believes 
it  possible  for  him  to  build,  in  the  temple  of  Christ,  or  to 
have  any  part  in  his  Kingdom,  while  his  hands  are  stained 
with  the  blood  of  his  fellow  men,  whom  Christ  came  to  re- 
deem. How  could  such  professors  avoid  polluting  the  spi- 
ritual temple,  with  their  blood-stained  souls,  (were  they 
suffered  to  enter  therein,)  to  a far  greater  degree  than  it  was 
possible  to  pollute  the  temple  of  Solomon,  with  the  blood 
and  dead  bodies  of  men  ? 


* Sec  1 Kings  iv.  20,  21,  and  2 Chren.  i.  12. 


59 


So  long  as  Solomon  kept  the  law,  and  maintained  a just 
and  peaceful  administration,  he  had  no  wars,  nor  any  adver- 
saries, neither  foreign  nor  domestic,  in  his  dominions.  But 
after  he  had  finished  the  temple,  he  began  to  erect  great 
fortifications ; and  even  transgressed  the  laws  of  God,  to 
provide  himself  with  horses  and  chariots,  and  make  great 
military  preparations.  By  this  means,  (as  is  usually  the 
case  with  military  characters,)  his  pride  and  ambition  in- 
creased, and  he  became  haughty,  oppressive  and  tyrannical ; 
and  thereby  stirred  up  adversaries,  both  foreign  and  domes- 
tic. His  feelings  being  exalted  with  his  great  riches  and 
glory,  he  forgot  the  Lord  his  God,  and  plunged  himself  into 
many  excesses,  corrupting  himself  with  unnatural  alliances 
with  strange  women.  Such  conduct  is  the  natural  conse- 
quence of  the  spirit  of  war ; as  the  history  of  all  warring 
nations,  in  all  ages,  have  abundantly  testified.  This  proved 
Solomon’s  ruin,  and  eventually  the  ruin  of  his  kingdom. 
Shortly  after  his  decease,  the  seeds  of  rebellion,  which  ori- 
ginated in  his  own  household,  produced  a division  in  the 
empire,  and  wrested  the  greatest  portion  of  it  from  his  son 
and  successor. 

REHOBOAM,  the  son  of  Solomon,  on  coming  to  the 
throne,  turned  the  hearts  of  the  people  against  him,  by  reject- 
ing the  wise  counsel  of  his  father’s  aged  friends,  and  follow- 
ing the  foolish  advice  of  his  youthful  comrades.  This  rash 
conduct  so  disgusted  the  people,  that  ten  tribes  suddenly  re- 
volted from  him,  and  placed  themselves  under  Jeroboam,  as 
king  of  Israel,  and  only  two  remained  to  support  Rehoboam 
in  his  government.  For  a season  however,  he  made  a show 
of  keeping  the  law  ; yet  he  pursued  the  policy  of  war.  He 
built  and  fortified  many  strong  fortresses,  and  made  great 
military  preparations  to  reduce  the  revolted  tribes  to  obe- 
dience. But  being  forbidden  by  a man  of  God,  to  make 
war  upon  his  brethren,  the  children  of  Israel,  he  forbore 
at  that  time ; and  while  he  was  obedient  to  the  heavenly 
injunction,  and  kept  the  divine  law,  the  effect  of  his  war 
policy  was  not  proved.  “ But  when  Rehoboam  had  esta- 
blished the  kingdom,  and  had  strengthened  himself,  he  for- 
sook the  law  of  the  Lord,  and  all  Israel  with  him. Then 
war  and  disgrace  followed. 

In  the  fifth  year  of  his  reign,  u Shishak,  king  of  Egypt, 
came  up  against  Jerusalem ; because  they  had  transgressed 
against  the  Lord.”  Thothe  Egyptian  king  advanced  with 


* 3 Chron.  xii.  1. 


( 


60 


a numerous  army ; yet  as  Rehoboam  had  an  army  of  180,000 
men,  and  was  strongly  fortified,  it  could  not  have  been  con- 
sidered difficult  for  him  to  defend  himself  against  the  Egyp- 
tian army,  had  he  been  favored  with  the  approbation  of  Divine 
Providence.  Such  events  have  often  taken  place,  with  much 
less  prospect  of  success.  But  the  prophet  Shemaiah  came  to 
Rehoboam,  and  to  the  princes  of  Judah,  and  said,  “ Thus 
saith  the  Lord,  Ye  have  forsaken  me,  and  therefore  have  I 
also  left  you  in  the  hand  of  Shishak.”  Of  what  use  then 
were  all  his  fortifications,  and  his  great  military  preparations  ? 
God  was  against  him,  because  of  his  wickedness ; therefore 
he  and  all  Jerusalem  became  an  easy  conquest  to  the  enemy. 
The  temple  was  taken  and  rifled,  and  all  its  rich  treasures 
carried  into  Egypt.  This  is  another  powerful  lesson  to  the 
advocates  of  war ; a striking  evidence  of  the  weakness  of 
human  policy,  and  of  the  utter  inutility  of  relying  on  an  arm 
of  flesh,  to  protect  and  defend  a nation,  without  the  aid  of 
Divine  Providence. 

ASA,  the  son  of  Abijah,  and  grandson  of  Rehoboam,  ap- 
pears to  have  been  an  upright  young  prince.  “ And  Asa 
did  that  which  was  good  and  right  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord 
his  God.”  Inconsequence  of  his  uprightness,  his  kingdom 
enjoyed  peace  and  quietness  ten  years.  During  this  period 
the  nation  prospered,  and  increased  in  strength  and  power. 
But  having  built  strong  cities,  and  erected  walls  and  towers 
for  their  defence,  and  having  raised  and  prepared  a large 
army  for  the  defence  and  protection  of  his  dominions,  they 
were  at  length  invaded  by  the  king  of  Ethiopia,  with  a nu- 
merous and  powerful  army  of  more  than  a million  of  men. 
Asa  felt  the  insufficiency  of  his  own  power  to  withstand 
such  an  immense  army  ; and  therefore  put  his  trust  in  God. 
“ And  Asa  cried  unto  the  Lord  his  God,  and  said,  Lord,  it 
is  nothing  with  thee  to  help,  whether  with  many,  or  with 
them  that  have  no  power : help  us,  O Lord  our  God ! for 
we  rest  on  thee,  and  in  thy  name  we  go  against  this  multi- 
tude. O Lord,  thou  art  our  God ; let  not  man  prevail 
against  thee.”* 

Here  Asa  appears  to  have  had  a just  sense  and  under- 
standing, that  their  protection  was  not  in  the  strength  of 
their  arms,  but  in  the  operations  of  Divine  Power;  and 
being  a just  man,  according  to  the  day  in  which  he  lived, 
God  heard  his  prayer  and  answered  it,  agreeable  to  his  faith. 
“ So  the  Lord  smote  the  Ethiopians  before  Asa,  and  before 
Judah ; and  the  Ethiopians  fled.  And  Asa,  and  the  people 


*2  Chion.  xiv.  11. 


61 


that  were  with  him,  pursued  them  unto  Gerar : and  the 
Ethiopians  were  overthrown,  that  they  could  not  recover 
themselves ; for  they  were  destroyed  before  the  Lord,  and 
before  his  host.” 

We  may  here  see  another  evident  proof  that  great  armies, 
and  vast  military  power,  cannot  save  nor  protect  a nation. 
Yet  Christian  professors  of  the  present  day,  who  boast  the 
privilege  of  living  in  an  age  of  much  greater  light,  and  claim 
a right  to  go  to  war  from  divine  authority,  are  still  unwilling 
to  put  their  trust  in  God  for  protection,  without  a powerful 
army  and  navy,  and  all  the  military  preparations  and  de- 
fences necessary,  in  their  opinion,  to  cope  with  an  enemy  of 
equal  force,  on  equal  grounds.  Thus  they  plainly  declare 
that  their  only  reliance  is  upon  their  own  power,  skill  aad 
bravery  in  war  ; and  their  confidence  in  an  arm  of  flesh,  is 
their  greatest  hope.  And  when  we  consider  the  depravity, 
injustice  and  wickedness  of  the  present  age,  we  are  not  sur- 
prised at  their  want  of  confidence  in  the  Divine  protection, 
seeing  they  have  no  just  claim  to  it.  While  they  are  led 
and  governed  by  a spirit  of  strife  and  contention,  they  know 
not  how  to  estimate  the  blessings  of  peace : hence  they  de- 
light in  the  broils  of  war  and  bloodshed,  and  are  continually 
marring  their  own  peace  and  happiness,  by  striving  to  mar 
that  of  others.  In  pursuing  this  course,  they  must  neces- 
sarily fall  under  the  same  curse' with  him  who  “trusteth  in 
man  and  maketh  flesh  his  arm.”  Such  professors  of  Chris- 
tianity, with  all  their  boasted  privileges,  must  fall  vastly 
short  of  thatDivine  favor  which  was  extended  to  the  Jews, 
who  kept  the  law  ; and  that  very  justly  too  ; for  the  Jews 
placed  far  more  confidence  in  the  protection  of  Divine  Pro- 
vidence. 

After  Asa’s  victory  over  the  Ethiopians,  God  sent  the 
prophet  Azariah  out  to  meet  him,  and  to  say  to  him,  “ Hear 
ye  me,  Asa,  and  all  Judah  and  Benjamin  : The  Lord  is  with 
you  while  ye  be  with  him  : and  if  ye  seek  him,  he  will  be 
found  of  you  ; but  if  ye  forsake  him,  he  will  forsake  you. 
Be  ye  strong,  therefore,  and  let  not  your  hands  be  weak : for 
your  work  shall  be  rewarded.”  And  when  Asa  heard  these 
words  of  the  prophet,  he  took  courage,  and  put  away  the 
abominable  idols  out  of  his  dominions,  and  renewed  the  altar 
of  the  Lord,  and  assembled  all  the  people  at  Jerusalem  ; and 
there  they  made  offerings  unto  the  Lord.  “ And  they  en- 
tered into  a covenant  to  seek  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers, 
with  all  their  heart  and  with  all  their  soul ; — and  they  sought 
him  with  their  whole  desire  ; and  he  was  found  of  them; 


62 


and  the  Lord  gave  them  rest  round  about.”  And  as  a re- 
ward of  their  piety,  “there  was  no  more  war  unto  the  five 
and  thirtieth  year  of  the  reign  of  Asa.”* 

Thus  it  appears  that  Asa  and  his  people,  by  turning  from 
their  former  wickedness,  destroying  their  idols,  renouncing 
idolatry,  and  seeking  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers,  and 
yielding  faithful  obedience  to  the  Divine  law,  were  safely 
protected,  and  their  country  was  preserved  from  the  scour- 
ges of  war,  and  enjoyed  a long  season  of  peace  and  happi- 
ness. 

But  it  seems  in  the  latter  part  of  Asa’s  reign,  the  king  of 
Israel  excited  a war  against  Judah  ; and  Asa,  instead  of  look- 
ing to  God  for  protection,  formed  an  alliance  with  the  king 
of  Syria,  and  by  a present  of  silver  and  gold,  obtained  his 
assistance  in  a war  against  the  king  of  Israel. I This  con- 
duct displeased  the  Lord,  who  sent  a prophet  to  reprove  him. 
The  prophet  came  to  Asa  and  said,  “Because  thou  hast  re- 
lied on  the  king  of  Syria,  and  not  relied  on  the  Lord  thy 
God,  therefore  is  the  host  of  the  king  of  Syria  escaped 
out  of  thy  hand.”  And  after  reminding  him  of  the  assist- 
ance he  had  formerly  received  from  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
against  the  Ethiopians,  because  he  put  his  trust  in  God,  the 
prophet  added,  “ The  eyes  of  the  Lord  run  to  and  fro 
throughout  the  whole  earth,  to  show  himself  strong  in  the 
behalf  of  those  whose  hearts  are  perfect  towards  him.  Here- 
in thou  has  done  foolishly ; therefore  from  henceforth  thou 
shalt  have  wars.”J  Thus  did  Asa  forfeit  the  Divine  pro- 
tection and  lose  the  blessings  of  peace. 

JEHOSHAPHAT,  the  son  of  Asa,  succeeded  his  father. 
He  began  his  reign  with  great  zeal  for  the  law  of  the  Lord, 
and  applied  himself  to  labor  for  the  benefit  of  his  people,  and 
to  instruct  them  in  thedivine  law.  “ And  the  Lord  was  with 
Jehoshaphat,  because  he  walked  in  the  first  ways  of  his  fa- 
ther David,  and  sought  the  Lord  God  of  his  father,  and 
walked  in  his  commandments,  and  not  after  the  doings  of 
Israel : Therefore  the  Lord  established  the  kingdom  in  his 
hand.  And  the  fear  of  the  Lord  fell  upon  all  the  kingdoms 
of  the  land  that  were  round  about  Judah,  so  that  they  made 
no  war  against  Jehoshaphat. ”||  On  the  contrary,  some  of 
them  sought  his  favor  and  brought  him  presents.  Thus 
his  people  enjoyed  the  blessings  of  peace ; and  these  bless- 

* 2 Chron.  xv. 

t This  practice  has  abundantly  prevailed  among  warring  Christians  of  modern 
times,  when  fighting  their  fellow  Christians. 

X 2 Chron.  xvi.  9.  ||  2 Chron.  xvii.  3,  4.  5,  10. 


63 


ings  were  not  the  result  of  military  preparations,  but  of  obe- 
dience to  the  divine  law,  and  a pacific  policy. 

But  Jehoshaphat  was  afterwards  drawn  into  a connection 
with  Ahab,  the  idolatrous  king  of  Israel,  and  narrowly  es- 
caped plunging  himself  and  all  Judah  into  ruin.  Being  pre- 
vailed upon  by  Ahab,  to  assist  him  in  a war  against  the 
king  of  Syria,  Ahab  was  slain,  and  Jehoshaphat  narrowly, 
and  very  providentially,  escaped  with  his  life.  After  this 
escape,  he  returned  home  in  peace.  But  he  was  met  by  a 
prophet  of  the  Lord , who  reproved  him  and  said , ‘ ‘ Shouldst 

thou  help  the  ungodly,  and  love  them  that  hate  the  Lord  ? 
therefore  is  wrath  upon  thee  from  before  the  Lord.  Never- 
theless, there  are  good  things  found  in  thee,  in  that  thou  hast 
taken  away  the  groves  out  of  the  land,  and  hast  prepared 
thy  heart  to  seek  God.”  After  this  admonition,  Jehoshaphat 
renewed  his  zeal  in  the  cause  of  God,  and  for  the  reforma- 
tion and  moral  improvement  of  his  people. 

At  length  a very  powerful  coalition  of  the  Moabites  and 
Ammonites,  and  their  confederates,  was  raised  against  Je- 
hoshaphat. This  coalition  was  probably  occasioned  by  his 
confederacy  with  Ahab.  But  whatever  was  the  cause  of  it, 
it  was  perhaps  one  of  the  most  powerful  coalitions  that  ever 
was  raised  in  any  age  of  the  world.  Tho  we  have  no  ac- 
count of  the  numbers  contained  in  this  vast  army ; yet  it 
must  have  been  exceedingly  numerous : for  it  appears  that 
Jehoshaphat  had  an  army  of  eleven  hundred  and  sixty  thou- 
sand men,  besides  those  who  guarded  the  fenced  cities 
throughout  the  kingdom.  Yet  with  all  these  means  of  de- 
fence, he  considered  himself  entirely  unable  to  withstand  this 
mighty  army.  He  therefore  called  upon  the  Lord  for  help, 
“and  proclaimed  a fast  throughout  all  Judah.  And  Judah 
gathered  themselves  together  to  ask  help  of  the  Lord.  And 
Jehoshaphat  stood  in  the  congregation  of  Jerusalem,  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord,”  and  prayed  before  the  congregation ; 
and  in  the  conclusion  of  his  prayer  he  says,  “ 0 our  God, 
wilt  thou  not  judge  them  ? for  we  have  no  might  against 
this  great  company  that  cometh  against  us ; neither  know 
we  what  to  do : but  our  eyes  are  upon  thee.” 

Hence  we  may  conclude  that  the  army  which  came  against 
Jehoshaphat,  must  have  been  immensely  large.  But  as  he 
relied  solely  upon  Divine  protection,  God  raised  up  a prophet, 
who  assured  him  of  protection  without  the  necessity  of  re- 
sorting to  arms.  “ Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Be  not  afraid  nor 
dismayed  by  reason  of  this  great  multitude  ; for  the  battle  is 
not  yours,  but  God’s,  Ye  shall  not  need  to  fight  in  this 


64 


battle ; set  yourselves,  stand  ye  still,  and  see  the  salvation 
of  the  Lord  with  you,  O Judah  and  Jerusalem ; fear  not, 
nor  be  dismayed  ; to-morrow  go  out  against  them ; for  the 
Lord  will  be  with  you.” 

Trusting  in  the  promise  of  God,  they  went  out  against 
their  enemies,  not  in  warlike  array,  but  singing  praises  to 
God.  And  through  the  influence  of  Divine  Providence, 
these  mighty  armies,  which  had  been  collected  from  various 
warring  nations  to  destroy  the  Jews,  began  the  havock  of 
battle  by  fighting  against  each  other  : “for  every  one  helped 
to  destroy  another,  and  none  escaped.”  And  so  great  was 
the  multitude  of  slain  that,  “ when  Jehoshaphat  and  his 
people  came  to  take  away  the  spoil,  they  found  among  them 
in  abundance,  both  riches  with  the  dead  bodies,  and  precious 
jewels,  more  than  they  could  carry  away:  and  they  were 
three  days  in  gathering  the  spoil.” 

Such  was  the  success  of  the  Jews  when  they  put  their 
trust  in  God,  and  not  in  an  arm  of  flesh  ; not  in  their  own 
bravery  and  military  skill,  but  in  the  protection  of  Divine 
Providence. 

JEHOR  AM,  the  son  and  successor  of  Jehoshaphat,  having 
married  into  the  idolatrous  family  of  Ahab,  king  of  Israel, 
not  only  kept  up  the  alliance  which  his  father  had  formed 
with  the  house  of  Ahab,  but  openly  associated  with  them  in 
their  idolatrous  practices,  which  he  carried  to  a great  extent. 
His  first  act,  after  coming  to  the  throne,  was  to  slay  all  his 
brothers,  and  others  also  of  the  princes  of  Israel.  By  this 
act  he  gave  a specimen  of  his  character,  and  of  the  influence 
of  that  spirit  by  which  he  was  led  and  governed.  In  short, 
“ he  wrought  that  which  was  evil  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  ;” 
therefore  the  Divine  protection  was  withdrawn  from  him, 
and  from  his  kingdom.  Notwithstanding  the  numerous 
army  which  his  father  had  possessed,  and  the  strong  fortress- 
es erected  for  the  defence  of  the  country ; yet  those  very 
nations  which,  without  war,  had  voluntarily  submitted  to 
his  father,  and  enriched  him  with  their  gifts,  now  turned 
against  Jehoram,  invaded  his  kingdom,  and  carried  away  all 
his  treasures,  together  with  his  wives  and  his  children,  ex- 
cepting his  youngest  son.  The  king  himself  was  soon  after 
smitten  with  an  incurable  disease  in  his  bowels ; and  after 
languishing  two  years  under  this  painful  malady,  he  died. 

These  successive  disasters  were  all  plainly  and  pointedly 
predicted  by  the  prophet  Elijah,  in  a letter  to  the  king,  and 
were  the  threatened  judgments  of  God  upon  him,  for  his 
abominable  idolatries  and  murders.* 


* 2 Chron,  xsi,  12 — 15. 


65 


AMAZIAH,  the  son  of  Joash,  began  his  reign  with  fair 
and  promising  appearances.  His  father,  during  his  reign,  and 
after  the  death  of  Jehoiadathe  priest,  had  forsaken  the  law  ; 
in  consequence  of  which  the  country  of  Judea  was  invaded 
and  overrun  by  the  Syrians.  But  Amaziah,  like  other  am- 
bitious rulers,  did  not  learn  wisdom  from  the  fata]  experience 
of  his  father’s  disastrous  fall ; but  soon  manifested  that  he 
possessed  too  much  of  the  spirit  of  war  to  enjoy  a happy  and 
prosperous  reign. 

He  raised  an  army  of  three  hundred  thousand  men  to  go 
against  the  Edomites.  Not  satisfied  with  this  great  army, 
he  hired  one  hundred  thousand  more  of  the  Israelites.  These 
however,  he  afterwards  dismissed,  upon  the  admonition  of  a 
man  of  God.  But  while  he  was  at  war  with  the  Edomites, 
the  Israelites,  who  were  offended  at  being  sent  home,  fell 
upon  the  cities  of  Judah,  slew  three  thousand  people,  and 
took  much  spoil.  Altho  Amaziah  was  victorious  against 
the  Edomites  ; yet  on  his  return,  he  foolishly  brought  home 
their  gods  with  him,  and  set  them  up  for  his  gods,  and  wor- 
shipped them.  For  this  he  was  reproved  by  a prophet  of 
the  Lord,  who  said.  “ Why  hast  thou  sought  after  the  gods 
of  the  people  which  could  not  deliver  their  own  people  out 
of  thy  hand?”  This  reproof  offended  Amaziah,  and  he 
threatened  the  prophet,  who  replied,  “ I know  that  God 
hath  determined  to  destroy  thee,  because  thou  hast  done  this, 
and  hast  not  hearkened  unto  my  counsel.”* 

Amaziah’s  heart  being  inflated  with  pride  and  ambition, 
in  consequence  of  his  recent  victory,  he  was  determined  to 
indulge  his  disposition  for  war ; and  therefore  sought  to  pro- 
voke a quarrel  with  Joash,  king  of  Israel,  designing  probably 
to  avenge  himself  on  the  Israelites,  for  the  mischief  they  had 
done  his  people  in  his  absence.^  He  therefore  challenged 
the  king  of  Israel  to  battle.  But  the  king  advised  him  to 
stay  at  home,  and  not  meddle  to  his  own  hurt,  lest  he  should 
fall,  and  Judah  with  him.  But  Amaziah  being  bent  on  war, 
rejected  this  salutary  advice ; therefore  a battle  ensued,  in 
which  his  army  was  defeated,  and  himself  taken  prisoner. 
The  king  of  Israel  then  marched  up  to  Jerusalem,  with 
his  royal  prisoner,  caused  a breach  of  four  hundred  cubits  to 
be  made  in  the  wall  of  the  city,  and  marched  in  with  his 
victorious  army.  He  then  seized  all  the  gold  and  silver  ves- 
sels and  treasures  of  the  temple,  and  the  treasures  of  the 

* 2 Cliron.  xxv.  15,  16. 

t Such  consequences  have  often  resulted  from  hired  alliances  among  Christian 
nations. 

F 2 


66 


king’s  palace,  and  talcing  a number  of  hostages  with  him, 
he  dismissed  the  king,  and  returned  with  a rich  booty  to 
Samaria.  After  this  disgraceful  defeat,  Amaziah’s  own 
people  conspired  against  him,  and  took  his  life. 

Thus  ended  the  career  of  this  ambitious,  haughty  and 
idolatrous  king  of  Judah  ; another  striking  example  of  the 
corrupt  tendency,  and  ruinous  effects  of  the  spirit  and  prac- 
tice of  war,  and  its  insufficiency  to  protect  or  defend  a na- 
tion. 

UZZIAHr  the  son  of  Amaziah,  came  to  the  throne  by  the 
united  voice  of  the  people,  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  It  appears 
that  he  was  blessed  and  prospered,  especially  in  the  former 
part  of  his  reign:  for  it  is  recorded  that,  “he  sought  God 
in  the  days  of  Zechariah,  who  had  understanding  in  the 
visions  of  God : and  as  long  as  he  sought  the  Lord,  God 
made  him  to  prosper.”  It  appears  that  he  did  not  make 
Avar  without  Divine  approbation  : for  it  is  written  that, 
“ God  helped  him  against  the  Philistines,  and  against  the 
Arabians,  and  the  Mehunims.”  He  was  evidently  raised  up 
by  Divine  Providence,  to  execute  judgment  upon  the  sur- 
rounding nations,  for  their  wickedness.  He  became  famous, 
powerful  and  successful ; “ and  his  name  spread  far  abroad  ; 
for  he  Avas  marvellously  helped  till  he  was  strong.  But 
when  he  was  strong  his  heart  was  lifted  up  to  his  destruc- 
tion : for  he  transgressed  against  the  Lord  his  God.” 

Like  many  other  successful  conquerors,  his  prosperity 
raised  his  pride  and  ambition,  and  led  him  to  aspire  after 
still  greater  power,  and  to  assume  a sacred  authority  Avhich 
did  not  belong  to  him.  He  had  the  presumption  to  assume 
the  priest’s  office,  contrary  to  the  divine  lavr,  and  actually 
“ went  into  the  temple  of  the  Lord  to  burn  incense  upon  the 
altar  of  incense.”  For  this  sacrilegious  act,  God  smote  him 
with  leprosy,  and  thus  showed  him  that  his  own  strength 
Avas  but  weakness,  and  his  pride  and  ambition  but  folly  and 
presumption.  Instead  of  humbly  and  thankfully  ascribing 
glory  to  God,  for  his  success  and  prosperity,  he  took  the 
honor  to  himself,  and  thus  lost  the  favor  and  protection  of 
God,  was  thrust  out  of  the  temple  and  excluded  from  the 
kingdom.  He  continued  a leper  to  the  day  of  his  death  ; 
and  Jotham  his  eon  took  charge  of  the  kingdom. 

The  early  prosperity,  and  final  fate  of  Uzziah,  ought  to 
be  a lesson  of  warning  to  proud  and  ambitious  rulers,  Avho 
in  their  exaltation,  seem  to  forget  that  all  power  is  of  God, 
and  that  he  is  able  to  “ stain  the  pride  of  all  flesh,  and  bring 
the  haughtiness  of  man  low.”  And  tho  success  may  attend 


67 


them  for  a season,  and  tho  they  may  assume  to  themselves 
the  honor  and  glory,  and  arrogate  the  power  of  swaying  the 
destiny  of  nations,  instead  of  ascribing  it  to  the  superintending 
providence  of  God  ; yet  they  will  most  certainly  be  brought, 
at  last,  to  feel  themselves  abased  by  the  hand  of  that  Almighty 
Power  whose  providence  they  abuse,  and  be  constrained  to 
acknowledge  that  God  alone  is  able  “ to  build  up,  and  to 
pull  down,”  and  can  with  equal  ease,  turn  the  battle  in  favor 
of  whom  he  will,  without  regard  to  strength  or  numbers. 

If  such  was  the  fate  of  this  Jewish  conqueror,  under  a 
dispensation,  and  in  an  age,  when  wars  were  sometimes  per- 
mitted and  authorized  by  Divine  Providence,  how  deplora- 
ble must  be  the  folly  of  those  rulers  and  nations  who  pre- 
sume to  make  war  in  their  own  strength,  and  according  to 
their  own  wills  ! But  such  is  the  spirit  of  war,  in  nations 
and  rulers,  and  such  the  self  confidence  of  warriors,  after  a 
successful  campaign,  that  their  hearts  become  inflated  with 
pride,  and  they  flatter  themselves,  and  suffer  others  to  flat- 
ter and  eulogize  their  names,  and  emblazon  their  deeds,  as 
tho  their  own  power  and  skill  had  alone  obtained  the  vic- 
tory.* 

AHAZ,  the  son  of  Jotham,  succeeded  his  father  in  the 
kingdom  of  Judah.  But  his  conduct  was  widely  different 
from  that  of  his  father,  who,  it  appears,  shared  the  favor  of 
Divine  Providence,  and  had  a prosperous  reign ; “ because 
he  prepared  his  ways  before  the  Lord  his  God.”  But  his 
son  Ahaz,  like  the  kings  of  Israel,  gave  himself  up  to  idola- 
try, and  practiced  all  the  abominations  of  the  heathen, 
“ whom  the  Lord  had  cast  out  before  the  children  of  Israel. — 
Wherefore  the  Lord  delivered  him  into  the  hand  of  the  king 
of  Syria ; and  they  smote  him,  and  carried  away  a great 
multitude  of  captives  ; — and  he  was  also  delivered  into  the 
hand  of  the  king  of  Israel,  who  slew  in  Judah  an  hundred 
and  twenty  thousand  in  one  day,  all  valiant  men  ; because 
they  had  forsaken  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers.”  In  this 
terrible  slaughter  fell  one  of  the  king’s  sons,  and  some  of  the 
principal  officers  of  his  government ; besides  the  loss  sustain- 
ed in  the  captivity  of  his  subjects,  to  the  number  of  two 
hundred  thousand,  men,  women  and  children. 

In  addition  to  these  calamities,  the  Edomites  and  Philis- 
tines successfully  invaded  the  kingdom,  and  committed  great 
depredations:  “for  the  Lord  brought  Judah  low,  because  of 
Ahaz  ; for  he  transgressed  against  the  Lord.”  Ahaz,  in  his 


* Witness  the  pride,  fall  and  acknowledgment  of  Nebuchadnezzar.  Dan.  ch.  iv. 


68 


trouble,  sent  to  the  kings  of  Assyria  for  help,  and  took  a 
portion  of  the  treasures  “out  of  the  house  of  the  Lord,  and 
out  the  house  of  the  king,'  and  of  the  princes,  and  gave  it 
unto  the  king  of  Assyria. — And  the  king  of  Assyria  came 
unto  him  and  distressed  him,  but  strengthened  him  not.” 
Having  thus  lost  the  Divine  favor,  neither  his  own  armies, 
nor  his  hired  allies,  were  of  any  avail  to  him.  But  all  these 
calamities  tended  only  to  make  Ahaz  increase  still  more  in 
his  wickedness,  and  to  become  more  and  more  impious,  in  his 
sacrilegious  abominations  against  the  Lord.  This  is  the  usual 
course  of  those  who  trust  in  an  arm  of  flesh,  instead  of  rely- 
ing upon  Divine  protection. 

In  these  reverses  of  fortune,  we  have  a striking  evidence 
that  the  protection  and  prosperity  of  that  kingdom  and  people, 
did  not  depend  on  their  strength  of  arms  and  valor  in  war. 
For  these  same  enemies,  during  the  reign  of  those  kings 
who  had  kept  the  law,  and  placed  their  trust  in  God,  had 
been  kept  in  subjection ; and  many  of  them  who  had  risen 
against  the  Jews,  had  been  defeated  with  great  slaughter, 
and  that  too  by  forces  far  inferior  to  those  which  Ahaz  at 
this  time  possessed.  His  father  and  grandfather  had  greatly 
strengthened  the  kingdom  by  strong  fortifications ; and  had 
made  every  necessary  preparation  for  protection  and  defence. 
They  had  also  a numerous  and  powerful  army  of  valiant 
men,  well  armed  and  trained  to  war.  Yet  with  all  these 
advantages,  in  which  kings  boast  and  warriors  place  their 
confidence,  Ahaz  was  brought  to  ruin,  and  his  kingdom  re- 
duced to  the  lowest  ebb  of  disgrace.  His  valiant  warriors 
could  not  save  him.  He  had  forsaken  the  Lord,  and  gone 
after  other  gods  ; and  the  Lord  had  left  him  to  the  mercy  of 
those  nations  in  whose  gods  he  had  trusted  ; and  he  was 
compelled  to  reap  the  reward  of  his  own  folly.  Here  too 
we  have  a striking  proof  that  a nation,  who  by  their  impiety 
have  lost  the  Divine  favor,  cannot  be  protected  by  military 
preparations  and  warlike  defences, 

HEZEKIAH,  the  son  of  Ahaz,  on  ascending  the  throne, 
began  a great  reformation  in  his  kingdom.  He  opened  the 
doors  of  the  house  of  the  Lord,  which  had  been  shut  up  by 
his  father,  and  repaired  them ; and  with  great  zeal,  set  him- 
self about  restoring  the  true  worship  of  God  in  Jerusalem, 
and  throughout  all  his  dominions . His  people  cheerfully  com- 
plied with  his  orders,  and  destroyed  the  heathen  altars  and 
images,  and  put  an  end  to  the  idolatrous  worship  which  had 
been  introduced  under  the  reign  of  his  father.  In  these  reli- 
gious proceedings  he  was  greatly  blessed  and  prospered. 


69 


At  length  he  was  threatened,  and  his  kingdom^  actually 
invaded  by  the  king  of  Assyria,  with  a numerous  and  power- 
ful army.  And  tho  he  made  great  preparations  for  defence, 
accoi'ding  to  the  custom  of  the  times  ; yet  it  appears  that 
his  greatest  confidence  was  in  the  protection  of  Divine  Power : 
for  in  his  exhortation  to  his  officers,  whom  he  had  appointed 
over  the  people,  he  said,  “ Be  strong  and  courageous ; be 
not  afraid  nor  dismayed  for  the  king  of  Assyria,  nor  for  all 
the  multitude  that  are  with  him  ; for  there  are  more  with 
us  than  with  him.  With  him  is  an  arm  of  flesh ; but  with 
us  is  the  Lord  our  God  to  help  us,  and  to  fight  our  battles.” 

After  this  the  king  of  Assyria  sent  a very  haughty  and 
blasphemous  message  to  Hezekiah  and  his  people,  boasting 
of  what  he  had  done  to  other  nations,  and  threatening  the 
like  destruction  to  the  Jews.  On  receiving  this  message, 
Hezekiah  humbled  himself  before  the  Lord,  and  sent  notice 
to  Isaiah,  who  returned  an  encouraging  answer,  saying, 
“ Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Be  not  afraid  of  the  words  which 
thou  hast  heard,  with  which  the  servants  of  the  king  of  As- 
syria have  blasphemed  me.  Behold  I will  send  a blast  upon 
him,  and  he  shall  hear  a rumor,  and  shall  return  to  his  own 
land ; and  I will  cause  him  to  fall  by  the  sword  in  his  own 
land.” 

After  this,  the  king  of  Assyria  sent  another  insolent  and 
boasting  message  to  Hezekiah,  arrogantly  cautioning  him 
not  to  let  the  God  in  whom  he  trusted  deceive  him  with  a 
hope  of  deliverance.  “Behold”  said  he  “thou  hast  heard 
what  the  kings  of  Assyria  have  done  to  all  lands,  by  destroy- 
ing them  utterly ; and  shalt  thou  be  delivered  ?”  On  the  re- 
ceipt of  this  message  by  letter,  Hezekiah  went  up  into  the 
house  of  the  Lord,  and  spread  it  before  the  Lord,  and  in 
deep  humiliation,  besought  the  Lord  that  he  would  save 
him  and  his  people  from  the  hand  of  the  king  of  Assyria, 
“that  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  may  know  that  thou  art 
the  Lord  God,  and  thou  only.” 

His  supplication  was  heard,  and  a promise  given  by  the 
prophet  Isaiah,  that  the  king  of  Assyria  should  not  come  into 
the  city , nor  shoot  an  arrow  there ; that  he  should  return 
by  the  same  way  that  he  came.  That  same  night,  by  a su- 
pernatural providence  of  God,  one  hundred  and  eighty-five 
thousand  of  the  Assyrian  army  were  destroyed.  The  king, 
with  the  remainder  of  his  army,  fled  with  precipitation  to  his 
own  country,  and  (according  to  the  account  of  Josephus)  left 
his  camp  a spoil  to  the  Jews.  Soon  after  this  he  was  slain 

in  the  temple  of  his  god,  by  two  of  his  OAvn  sons.* * 

* 2 Kings  xix.  2 Chron.  xxxii.  and  Isaiah  xxxvi*  and  xxxvii. 


70 


These  remarkable  dispensations  of  Divine  Providence,  in 
favor  of  the  pacific  king  of  Judah,  Avho  instead  of  relying  omhis 
own  great  military  power,  put  his  trust  in  God,  affords  an- 
other very  striking  example  to  the  advocates  of  war,  of  the 
superior  wisdom  and  safety  of  relying  on  Divine  protection, 
and  trusting  in  him  who  rules  the  destinies  of  nations,  and 
who  can,  with  ease,  subdue  the  most  powerful  foe,  without 
the  aid  of  armies  or  the  weapons  of  war. 

MANASSEH,  the  son  and  successor  of  Hezekiah,  not- 
withstanding the  pious  example  of  his  father,  and  the  warn- 
ings and  admonitions  of  the  prophets,  threw  off  all  depen- 
dence upon  Divine  Wisdom,  and  abandoned  himself  to  all 
sorts  of  wickedness.  He  did  more  towards  corrupting  the 
people  with  idolatry  than  any  of  his  predecessors  had  done. 
Josephus  says,  “ No  impiety  escaped  him. — He  began  his 
reign  with  the  contempt  of  God,  and  so  proceeded  to  a bar- 
barous and  bloody  persecution  of  holy  and  good  men,  dipping 
his  hands  in  the  blood  of  the  very  prophets  themselves  : in- 
somuch that  hardly  a day  passed  without  putting  some  one 
or  other  of  them  to  death,  so  that  the  very  streets  of  Jeru- 
salem ran  blood.”*  “ It  is  said  he  sawed  the  prophet  Isaiah 
asunder  with  a wooden  saw.”')' 

These  things  brought  the  judgments  of  God  upon  Manas- 
seh  and  his  people,  and  laid  the  foundation  for  the  conquest 
and  captivity  of  the  Jewish  nation.  And  tho  his  father  had 
been  signally  protected  from  the  Assyrian  army,  by  the  hand 
of  Divine  Providence,  because  he  trusted  in  God ; yet  that 
same  Divine  Providence  left  this  idolatrous  son  and  succes- 
sor to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Assyrians,  and  to  be  har- 
rassed  and  spoiled  by  his  enemies.  The  armies  of  Assyria 
and  Babylon  invaded  his  kingdom,  routed  his  troops,  seized 
and  bound  him  in  fetters,  and  carried  him  to  Babylon  ; nor 
was  it  in  his  power,  with  all  his  military  forces,  to  defend 
himself.  “ And  when  he  was  in  affliction,  he  besought  the 
Lord  his  God,  and  humbled  himself  greatly  before  the  God 
of  his  fathers,  and  prayed  unto  him.”  And  it  appears  that, 
notwithstanding  all  his  former  wickedness,  God  heard  his 
supplication,  and  through  the  dispensations  of  his  providence, 
“ brought  him  again  to  Jerusalem,  into  his  kingdom.  Then 
Manasseh  knew  that  the  Lord  he  was  God.”  Thus  it  ap- 
pears that  the  arms  of  war  could  claim  no  honor  in  the  days 
of  Manasseh ; but  all  events  were  decided  according  to  the 
direction  of  Divine  Wisdom. 


Josephus,  Ant.  B.  x.  ch,  iv. 


j Brown’s  Diet,  Bible,  article  JVIanasEch. 


71 


JOSIAH,  the  son  of  Amon  and  grandson  of  Manasseh, 
appears  to  have  been  the  most  pious  of  all  the  kings  of  Ju- 
dah. He  labored  with  great  zeal  and  assiduity,  to  purge 
out  idolatry  and  reform  his  people  ; and  to  turn  the  whole 
nation  from  those  idolatrous  practices,  into  which  they  had 
been  so  deeplyfplunged  by  the  wickedness  of  his  ancestors  ; 
and  to  bring  them  back  to  the  worship  of  the  only  true  God. 
In  this  pious  work  he  was  greatly  blessed  and  prospered, 
was  much  beloved  by  his  people,  and,  for  many  years,  en- 
joyed his  kingdom  in  peace. 

But  alas ! this  pious  prince,  who  had  hitherto  been  greatly 
prospered  with  the  blessings  of  peace,  as  the  reward  of  his 
piety  and  virtue,  was  at  length  tempted  to  indulge  the  spirit 
of  war,  and  that  too  without  any  divine  authority  or  any 
just  cause.  In  consequence  of  this  rash  step,  he  lost  his  own  - 
life  and  hastened  the  destruction  of  his  people.  The  king 
of  Egypt,  being  upon  an  expedition  against  the  king  of  As- 
syria, found  it  necessary  to  pass  through  the  borders  of  Ju- 
dea. Without  any  right  to  interfere  in  the  war  between 
these  two  heathen  nations,  Josiah  marched  out  against  the 
Egyptian  king,  with  a design  to  interrupt  his  progress  and 
give  him  battle . The  king  of  Egypt  sent  ambassadors  to  him , 
with -a  pacific  message,  declaring  that  he  had  no  intention  of 
meddling  with  the  Jews,  but  only  wished  to  march  his  army 
through  the  borders  of  his  country,  against  his  own  enemies, 
saying ; “I  come  not  against  thee  this  day,  but  against  the 
house  with  which  I have  war.” 

Josiah  paid  no  regard  to  Necho’s  message,  but  disguised 
himself,  and  went  out  to  fight  with  him,  “ in  the  valley  of 
Megiddo.”  Here  he  was  mortally  wounded,  and  was  car- 
ried back  to  Jerusalem,  where  he  soon  died  Such  was  the 
fate  of  Josiah,  who  had  rashly  intermeddled  in  a war 
where  he  had  no  just  concern.  Had  he  been  contented  to 
stay  at  home,  he  might  doubtless  have  enjoyed  a long  and 
happy  reign,  and  died  in  peace.  But  such  is  the  infatuating 
spirit  of  war,  that,  (as  in  the  case  of  this  hitherto  good  king,) 
the  most  virtuous  lose  their  virtue  thereby,  and  bring  a curse 
upon  themselves  ; and  it  generally  hastens  the  ruin  of  all 
that  engage  in  it. 

After  the  death  of  Josiah,  his  successors  in  the  kingdom, 
and  the  great  body  of  the  Jews,  abandoned  themselves  to  all 
manner  of  iniquity,  corrupting  themselves  with  idolatry,  and 
all  the  debasing  customs  and  manners  of  the  heathen  nations, 
wholly  disregarding  their  own  divine  laws  and  the  institu- 
tions of  Moses.  By  these  means  they  lost  the  protection 


72 


of  God  ; so  that,  notwithstanding  all  their  strong  fortifica- 
tions, and  their  powerful  and  valiant  armies,  they  fell  under 
the  dominion  of  the  king,  of  Babylon.  But  their  pride, 
haughtiness  and  self-confidence,  would  not  suffer  them  to 
humble  themselves,  and  seek  the  favor  and  protection  of 
Heaven,  nor  submit  to  the  king  of  Babylon.  Hence  they 
formed  an  alliance  with  the  king  of  Egypt,  in  the  foolish 
expectation  of  being  able,  with  his  assistance,  to  free  them- 
selves from  the  dominion  of  the  Babylonians. 

Having  formed  this  alliance,  they  made  great  military  pre- 
parations, and  defended  themselves  with  much  bravery ; but 
as  they  rejected  the  counsel  of  God  by  his  prophets,  and 
trusted  in  their  own  strength  and  bravery,  and  the  expected 
assistance  of  their  Egyptian  allies,  they  were  unable  to  with- 
stand their  enemies.  That  same  Divine  Providence  which 
had  favored  and  protected  their  ancestors,  who  trusted  in 
God,  was  now  turned  against  them,  and  favored  their  ene- 
mies ; therefore  they  were  defeated  and  totally  overthrown. 
The  city  of  Jerusalem,  tho  strongly  fortified  and  bravely  de- 
fended,* was  taken  and  sacked  ; the  temple  was  rifled  of  its 
rich  treasures  and  ornaments,  and  burnt  to  the  ground  ; the 
king’s  palace,  and  all  the  principle  buildings  of  the  city, 
were  also  burnt ; the  whole  country  laid  waste,  and  all  the 
principal  inhabitants  carried  captive  to  Babylon.  Here  they 
were  compelled  to  serve  their  enemies  for  the  space  of 
seventy  years : after  which  Divine  wisdom  saw  fit  to  effect 
their  deliverance. 

REMARKS  UPON  THE  HISTORY  OF  THE  JEWS. 

Upon  a careful  and  impartial  review  of  the  Jewish  history, 
as  recorded  in  the  sacred  scriptures,  and  in  the  books  of  Jo- 
sephus, their  celebrated  historian,  we  may  learn  the  follow- 
ing important  facts. 

First;  that  from  the  time  the  Jews  were  settled  in  the 
land  of  Canaan,  to  the  time  they  ceased  to  exist  as  an  inde- 
pendent nation,  they  were  not  involved  in  any  disastrous 
wars,  excepting  when  they  had  transgressed  the  Divine  com- 
mands, and  violated  their  own  laws.  Indeed,  while  they 
kept  the  law,  they  were  seldom  engaged  in  war,  except  by 
Divine  authority  ; and  such  wars  always  terminated  in  their 
favor  and  insured  them  the  blessings  of  peace  and  prosperity. 
But  when  they  indulged  themselves  in  the  spirit  of  war,  and 


* See  Josephus’  Antiquities,  B.  x.  ch.  viii. 


73 


went  forth  in  their  own  strength,  without  any  authority 
from  God,  they  always  suffered  loss,  and  were  involved  in 
trouble. 

Second  ; that  their  protection  always  depended  on  the  fa- 
vor of  Heaven,  and  not  on  the  arms  of  war ; these  being 
only  the  means  sometimes  permitted  by  Divine  Providence, 
and  not  the  cause  of  their  protection. 

Third  ; that  whenever  they  were  led  and  governed  by 
that  pride  and  ambition  which  always  attends  the  spirit  of 
war,  they  were  inevitably  humbled,  and  sooner  or  later, 
brought  down  by  the  hand  of  Divine  Justice.  And  we  have 
no  hesitation  in  asserting  that  this  always  has  proved,  and 
always  will  prove,  the  final  fate  of  all  warring  nations. 

As  a further  evidence  that  wars  are  not  necessary  in  the 
order  of  Divine  Providence,  we  may  observe  that  the  Jews 
were  not  delivered  from  the  Babylonian  captivity,  by  their 
military  power,  any  more  than  their  ancestors  were  from  the 
bondage  of  Egypt.  After  seventy  years  captivity,  agreeable 
to  the  predictions  of  the  prophets,  their  deliverance  was 
brought  about  by  Divine  influence.  When  Cyrus,  the  Per- 
sian king,  by  the  special  providence  of  God,  had  conquered 
the  Babylonian  empire,  as  the  prophet  Isaiah  had  predicted, 
he  was  directed  by  that  same  wise  Providence,  to  let  the 
captives  go,  “without  money  and  without  price.”  By  a 
royal  proclamation,  he  directed  the  Jews  to  return  to  their 
own  land,  and  to  rebuild  their  temple  and  city,  and  restore 
the  religion  of  their  nation. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  Persian  empire,  the  Jews 
enjoyed  a state  of  uninterrupted  peace,  except  in  a few  in- 
stances, in  which  they  brought  war  upon  themselves  by  their 
own  imprudence.  It  may  indeed  be  said  that  they  were 
under  the  dominion  of  the  Persians,  to  whom  they  paid  tri- 
bute. But  they  were  by  no  means  so  oppressed  by  the 
Persian  monarchs,  as  they  afterwards  were  by  their  own 
kings  ; and  all  the  expense  of  this  subjection  to  the  .-Per- 
sians, was  but  a trifle  in  comparison  to  the  expense  and 
dangers  of  war.  And  it  appears  from  their  history,  that 
they  actually  enjoyed  more  security,  in  person  and  property, 
under  the  Persian  kings,  than  they  afterwards  did  under 
their  own  : for  while  they  kept  the  law,  and  were  not  go- 
verned by  the  spirit  of  war  in  their  own  bosoms,  they  were 
evidently  favored  by  a superintending  Providence. 

According  to  all  the  accounts  we  have  of  that  nation,  af- 
ter they  returned  from  the  Babylonian  captivity,  we  rarely 
find  that  they  were  molested  by  an  enemy,  so  long  as  they 


74 


kept  clear  of  the  quarrels  of  other  nations,  subjected  them- 
selves to  their  own  laws,  and  did  not  follow  foreign  customs. 
And  if  at  any  time  they  happened  to  be  exposed  to  invasion, 
unless  they  brought  it  upon  themselves,  they  had  no  occa- 
sion to  resort  to  arms,  so  long  as  they  put  their  trust  in 
God ; for  in  such  cases  they  never  failed  of  obtaining  Di- 
vine protection.  Their  whole  history  justifies  this  remark. 
The  following  remarkable  instance  of  the  interposition  of 
Divine  Providence,  in  favor  of  the  Jews,  is  worthy  of  par- 
ticular notice. 

ALEXANDER  THE  GREAT,  having  by  rapid  march- 
es and  unexampled  success,  defeated  and  entirely  routed  the 
armies  of  Darius,  king  of  Persia,  turned  his  course  into  Sy- 
ria, and  laid  siege  to  the  strong  city  of  Tyre.  He  sent 
word,  at  the  same  time,  to  Jaddus,  the  high-priest  of  the 
Jews,  “ that  he  expected  the  same  assistance  from  them, 
which  they  had  before  allowed  to  Darius,  and  that  they 
should  provide  a market  for  the  supply  of  his  army,  where 
he  might  have  necessaries  for  his  money  ; assuring  them 
that  they  should  have  no  reason  to  repent  the  respect.”  The 
answer  returned  by  the  high-priest  was  briefly  this  : “ That 
they  had  bound  themselves  by  an  oath  to  Darius,  never  to 
bear  arms  against  him,  and  therefore  could  not  assist  him  in 
men  nor  provisions,  without  violating  their  oath.”  This 
answer  so  highly  offended  Alexander,  that  he  threatened, 
after  conquering  Tyre,  to  march  against  the  high-priest 
himself,  and  let  him  know  how  far  oaths  were  to  be  broken 
or  kept.  In  short,  he  was  determined  to  make  the  Jews 
feel  his  vengeance. 

Accordingly,  after  conquering  the  Tyrians,  he  marched 
with  his  victorious  army  towards  Jerusalem.  This  brought 
Jaddus  and  the  Jews  into  great  tribulation.  But  instead  of 
preparing  for  war,  the  high-priest  appointed  public  prayers 
and  sacrifices  to  be  offered  up  to  God,  for  his  Divine  assist- 
ance and  protection.  Having  put  his  trust  in  God,  he  was 
instructed  in  a dream  what  to  do.  Accordingly,  upon  the 
approach  of  Alexander  towards  the  city,  Jaddus  marched  out, 
unarmed,  with  the  priests  in  their  pontifical  robes,  and  the 
people  all  dressed  in  white,  to  meet  the  conqueror. 

When  Alexander  saw  this  imposing  sight,  he  was  struck 
with  awe.  No  powerful  army  in  military  array,  had  ever 
before  so  affected  the  feelings  of  this  mighty  conqueror.  To 
see  the  high-priest  in  his  sacred  vestments,  embroidered 
with  gold,  his  mitre  upon  his  head,  and  a golden  plate  upon 
his  forehead,  with  the  name  of  God  engraven  upon  it,  fol- 


75 


lowed  by  the  priests  in  the  sacred  habits  of  their  order,  and 
the  people  all  in  white,  was  a spectacle  so  majestic  and  re- 
verend, and  yet  so  pacific  and  heavenly,  that  this  mighty 
monarch  advanced  with  respect  and  reverence,  bowed  be- 
fore him,  adored  the  sacred  inscription  on  his  forehead,  and 
saluted  the  high-priest  himself.  His  vengeful  spirit  was  ar- 
rested, his  conquering  arm  was  stayed,  and  he  who  had  ne- 
ver before  bowed  to  kings,  was  now  vanquished  by  the  wise 
and  pacific  policy  of  a Jewish  high-priest. 

The  officers  of  his  army  were  so  surprised  at  Alexan- 
der’s conduct,  that  they  could  hardly  believe  him  to  be  in 
his  right  mind.  His  friend  Parmeniotook  the  liberty  to  ask 
him,  in  a familiar  manner,  “ How  it  came  to  pass  that  he, 
who  was  adored  by  the  whole  earth,  should  now  descend  to 
bow  to  a Jewish  priest.”  u No,  said  Alexander,  I do  not 
adore  the  man,  but  the  God  whom  he  serves.”* 

After  this,  the  king  embraced  Jaddus,  and  was  conducted 
into  the  city  by  the  rest  of  the  priests,  where  he  went  up  to 
the  temple  and  sacrificed  in  form,  according  to  the  high- 
priest’s  direction,  paying  also  a singular  veneration  to  the 
high-priest  himself.  When  this  ceremony  was  finished, 
Jaddus  showed  the  king  the  book  of  the  prophet  Daniel, 
and  in  it,  the  prediction  of  a certain  Greek,  in  time  to  come, 
that  should  make  himself  master  of  the  Persian  empire ; 
which  Alexander  interpreted  of  himself.  The  next  day  the 
king  called  the  Jews  together,  to  know  what  request  they 
had  to  make.  The  high-priest  replied,  that  they  only  desi- 
red to  enjoy  the  freedom  of  their  own  laws,  and  to  be  ex- 
empted from  the  seventh  year’s  tribute.  This  request  was 
freely  granted,  not  only  in  Judea,  but  to  all  the  Jews  in  Ba- 
bylon and  Media. 

Thus  the  high-priest,  by  putting  his  trust  in  God,  and 
adopting  a pacific  policy,  carried  the  Divine  presence  with 
him  ; and  it  was  the  holy  influence  of  this  Divine  presence, 
of  which  the  sacred  name  in  his  forehead  was  a witness, 
that  restrained  the  hostile  power  of  this  mighty  monarch,  and 
checked  and  turned  his  purpose.  And  thus  this  conqueror  of 
conquerors,  this  most  renowned  warrior  that  had  ever  ap- 
peared on  earth,  was  most  effectually  conquered  without  the 
arms  of  war,  or  any  hostile  array,  and  that  too,  by  a people 
who  had  highly  offended  him,  by  refusing  what  he  consider- 
ed a fair  and  reasonable  request. 


Josep,  Ant,  b,  xif  ch,  viii,  Sec  also  Rollin’s  Anc,  Hist.  vol.  v.  sec.  7. 


76 


But  their  honesty  and  integrity  secured  the  Divine  favor ; 
and  their  pacific  conduct  wholly  disarmed  the  foe,  and  secu- 
red the  liberty  and  freedom  of  the  nation.  Whereas,  had 
they  resorted  to  arms  and  sustained  a siege,  they  would  un- 
doubtedly have  been  conquered,  and  their  city  and  temple 
despoiled,  and,  in  all  probability,  the  conqueror  would  have 
wreaked  his  vengeance  on  their  heads.  All  circumstances 
considered,  this  unarmed  victory  of  the  Jews  over  Alexan- 
der, was  the  greatest  ever  recorded  in  history.  None  of 
Alexander’s  allies  obtained  such  advantages  as  did  the  Jews. 
The  Samaritans,  who  had  violated  their  oath  to  Darius,  and 
sent  an  army  of  eight  thousand  men  to  assist  Alexander, 
and  had  done  all  in  their  power  to  obtain  his  favor,  and  ex- 
cite his  enmity  against  the  Jews,  could  not  prevail  on  him  to 
remit  any  part  of  the  tribute  exacted  of  them,  nor  even  to 
pay  them  a visit.* 

The  preceding  event  affords  a serious  and  instructive  les- 
son, both  to  the  friends  of  peace  and  to  the  advocates  of  war. 
They  may  say  the  hand  of  Divine  Providence  overruled 
these  transactions,  and  that  the  high-priest  was  divinely  in- 
spired in  the  steps  he  took.  This  we  readily  admit ; and 
by  the  same  Divine  authority  are  men  directed  to  “ over- 
come evil  with  good and  they  would  be  equally  favored 
by  the  providence  of  God,  were  they  equally  subject.  Let 
the  ruler  of  any  nation  on  earth,  with  his  people,  preserve 
the  same  rectitude  of  conduct,  that  the  ruler  and  people  of 
the  Jews  did,  at  that  time,  and  then  let  them  march  out  as 
they  did,  to  meet  any  conqueror  that  ever  was  famed  in  arms, 
and  we  are  confident  that  it  would  arrest  his  progress,  over- 
come his  hostile  feelings,  and  turn  the  threatened  carnage  of 
war  to  peace  and  good  will.  In  such  a case  none  but  infi- 
dels could  distrust  the  protection  of  a superintending  Provi- 
dence. It  is  opposition  that  excites  the  spirit  of  war. — 
Warriors  fight  for  the  bubble , honor,  for  noisy  fame , for  the 
imaginary  glory  of  displaying  their  courage  against  those 
who  oppose  them.  They  well  know  that  they  could  gain 
no  honor — nothing  but  execration  and  disgrace,  by  faDing 
upon  a virtuous,  peaceable  and  defenceless  people,  whose 
national  government  makes  no  opposition. 

We  feel  confident  that  if  Napoleon  Bonaparte,  during  his 
victorious  career  through  Europe,  had  been  met  by  the  ru- 
ler of  any  nation  whatever,  as  the  ruler  of  the  Jews  met 


* A late  writer  affects  to  discredit  this  account ; but  we  find  no  good  authority  in 
history,  neither  ancient  nor  modern,  that  in  th«  least  invalidates  iL 


77 


Alexander,  it  would  have  produced  the  same  pacific  result. 
But  such  is  the  pride  and  haughtiness  of  nations  and  rulers, 
that  they  would  hazard  the  chance  of  war,  with  all  its  ex- 
penses, and  all  its  devastation  and  slaughter,  rather  than  to 
submit  to  what  they  consider  an  ignoble  and  degrading 
means  of  acquiring  peace.  But  in  truth  it  would  be  the 
most  honorable  step  they  could  take,  and  one  that  would  be 
most  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God ; because  they  would 
by  that  means,  not  only  save  a vast  expense  of  blood  and 
treasure,  but  would  also  set  an  example  of  humility,  peace 
and  good  will  to  man,  that  must  inevitably  subdue  the  de- 
structive and  hostile  spirit  of  war,  and  ultimately  draw  forth 
acknowledgments  of  praise  and  commendation  from  all  good 
men.  A few  such  examples  among  Christian  nations, 
would  soon  put  an  end  to  all  wars,  and  produce  permanent 
peace  throughout  Christendom. 

After  the  death  of  Alexander,  and  the  division  of  his  em- 
pire, the  kings  of  Egypt  and  Asia  were  almost  continually 
at  war  ; and  in  their  hostile  expeditions  they  frequently  pass- 
ed and  repassed  through  the  country  of  Judea.  But  ac- 
cording to  Josephus  and  others,  while  the  Jews  remained 
peaceable,  and  did  not  interfere  with  their  quarrels,  they 
were  marvellously  protected,  without  the  use  of  arms.  On 
the  contrary,  whenever  they  took  up  arms  on  either  side, 
they  generally  suffered  severely  for  it.  While  they  kept 
the  Divine  law,  and  conformed  to  the  principles  of  justice 
and  peace,  they  were  remarkably  blessed  and  prospered  ; so 
that  even  the  kings  of  the  Gentiles  honored  and  respected 
them,  were  subservient  to  them,  and  often  enriched  the 
temple  with  their  best  gifts ; but  whenever  they  neglected 
their  own  sacred  laws,  and  corrupted  themselves  with  the 
profane  customs  and  manners  of  the  Greeks,  and  other  hea- 
then nations,  they  became  distracted  with  party  divisions 
and  dissensions,  and  involved  themselves  in  the  calamities 
of  war  with  the  surrounding  nations.  And  if,  in  these 
conflicts,  they  were  sometimes  successful,  their  success  on- 
ly served  to  exalt  their  pride  and  ambition,  and  was  often 
succeeded  by  some  terrible  disaster. 

Their  frequent  broils  and  dissensions,  towards  the  latter 
part  of  their  national  existence  in  Judea,  brought  them  un- 
der the  power  and  government  of  the  Romans,  who  proba- 
bly never  would  have  invaded  their  country,  had  they  mind- 
ed their  own  business, and  let  other  nations  alone,  according 
to  the  injunctions  of  their  own  laws.  And  even  after  they 
had,  by  their  own  misconduct,  become  the  subjects  and  tri- 
G 2 


78 


butaries  of  the  Roman  empire,  they  might  still  have  been 
protected  in  the  peaceable  enjoyment  of  their  religion, 
had  they  been  careful  to  walk  in  obedience  to  the  Divine 
laws,  and  keep  themselves  unpolluted  and  undefiled  with 
idolatry  and  heathenish  abominations.  For  it  is  evident, 
that  while  they  did  maintain  their  integrity,  and  walk  in 
uprightness,  they  were  divinely  protected  and  blessed,  in 
many  instances  ; two  of  which  we  will  here  mention. 

PONTIUS  PILATE,  a Roman  general,  having  been 
appointed  governor  of  Judea,  marched  his  army  into  Jeru- 
salem, and  set  up  the  Roman  standards,  which  had  Caesar’s 
likeness  upon  them.  This  being  contrary  to  the  Jewish  re- 
ligion, they  requested  Pilate  to  remove  them  out  of  the  city ; 
as  their  laws  did  not  allow  any  sort  of  image  or  likeness  to 
be  brought  into  the  city  ; and  this  being  the  first  instance  of 
a Roman  governor’s  violating  their  religion  in  that  manner, 
they  considered  it  an  indication  that  their  laws  were  to  be 
trodden  under  foot.  But  upon  Pilate’s  refusing  to  grant 
their  request,  they  fell  prostrate  on  the  ground  before  him, 
and  earnestly  besought  him,  for  the  space  of  five  successive 
days,  to  grant  their  request. 

On  the  sixth  day  he  placed  himself  on  his  tribunal,  in  the 
market  place,  and  called  the  Jews  before  him,  to  give  them 
an  answer  ; having  previously  arranged  his  soldiers  so  as  to 
have  them  surround  the  petitioners,  they  were  in  readiness 
to  fall  upon  them  whenever  he  should  give  the  signal.  He 
then  told  them  that  unless  they  would  consent  to  let  these 
ensigns  remain  in  the  city,  and  leave  oft'  disturbing  him 
about  them,  they  should  immediately  be  cut  in  pieces,  and 
gave  a signal  for  his  soldiers  to  draw  their  swords.  Upon 
this  the  petitioners  immediately  threw  themselves  upon  the 
ground,  made  bare  their  necks,  and  cried  out,  that  they  would 
sooner  be  slain  than  have  their  sacred  laws  violated.  This 
firm  resolution  of  the  Jews  so  astonished  Pilate,  that  he 
gave  orders  for  the  ensigns  to  be  carried  immediately  out  of 
Jerusalem.* 

This  was  a victory  more  honorable  to  the  courage  of  the 
Jews,  and  to  every  principle  of  virtue,  than  was  ever  achiev- 
ed by  arms.  And  here  we  would  ask  the  advocates  of  war, 
Whether  it  is  reasonable  to  believe  that  the  Jews  would 
have  gained  their  point,  had  they  attempted  to  oppose  Pi- 
late by  force  of  arms  ? The  proud  and  haughty  advocate 
of  war  will  perhaps  say,  the  Jews  degraded  themselves  by 


* Jewish  Ant.  b.  xviii.  ch.  iii.  and  Jewish  Wars,  b.  ii.  ch.  ix. 


79 


doing  as  they  did  ; that  it  would  have  been  more  honorable 
to  their  courage  to  have  defended  their  religious  principles 
by  the  sword.  But  every  reasonable  and  judicious  person 
will  agree  with  us,  that  the  Jews  were  the  real  conquerors 
in  this  case,  and  came  off  with  much  more  honor  than  did 
the  Roman  governor.  Yet  he  acted  much  more  honorably 
than  he  would  have  done  had  he  persevered  in  his  intentions, 
and  massacred  the  Jews  for  the  sake  of  carrying  his  point. 
But  we  feel  confident  that,  under  similar  circumstances, 
such  a horrid  massacre  could  never  have  been  committed. 
Again  : 

CAIUS  CALIGULA  having  succeeded  to  the  empire  of 
Rome,  set  himself  up  as  a god  ; and  being  informed  that 
while  all  other  nations  which  were  subject  to  the  Romans,  in 
obedience  to  his  orders,  had  built  altars  and  temples  to  him, 
the  Jews  alone  refused  to  do  him  that  honor.  He  was 
therefore  highly  offended  at  their  obstinacy  ; and  sent  orders 
to  Petronius,  governor  of  Syria,  to  march  an  army  into  Ju- 
dea, and  set  up  his  statue  in  the  temple  at  Jerusalem  ; and 
in  case  the  Jews  would  not  consent  to  it,  to  put  all  who  op- 
posed it  to  the  sword  ; and  carry  all  the  rest  of  the  nation 
into  captivity. 

Accordingly  Petronius  marched  into  'Judea,  with  a large 
army  of  Roman  soldiers,  and  many  Syrian  auxiliaries,  and 
encamped  in  Gallilee.  When  this  was  known  to  the  Jews, 
instead  of  preparing  to  defend  their  rights  by  war,  many 
thousands  of  them  came  forward,  and  petitioned  Petronius 
not  to  compel  them  to  violate  the  laws  of  their  country, 
and  dishonor  their  religion . Petronius  was  greatly  confound- 
ed with  these  earnest  supplications ; but  he  proceeded  on 
towards  Jerusalem,  as  far  as  Tiberius.  There  also  many 
thousands  came  out  with  the  same  earnest  supplications  ; 
and  thus  he  was  met  and  petitioned,  day  after  day,  from  all 
quarters. 

At  length  he  summoned  together  the  men  of  note  among 
the  Jews,  and  undertook  to  reason  with  them  on  the  sub- 
ject; and  to  lay  before  them  the  great  power  of  the  Ro- 
mans, and  the  threatenings  of  Caesar ; and  endeavored  to 
convince  them  that  their  petitions  were  unreasonable  ; that 
while  all  the  nations  subject  to  the  Romans  had  placed  the 
images  of  Caesar  in  their  cities  and  temples,  among  the  rest 
of  their  gods,  for  them  alone  to  oppose  it,  was  inconsistent 
with  their  own  welfare,  and  would  expose  them  to  ruin. 
The  Jews  still  urged  the  sacred  injunctions  of  their  reli- 
gion ; that  it  did  not  allow  them  to  make  any  image  of  God 


80 


or  man,  nor  to  set  one  up  in  any  part  of  their  country  ; 
much  less  in  the  holy  temple  itself.  And  they  felt  them- 
selves bound  by  the  sacred  law  of  God,  and  would  rather 
give  up  their  lives  than  consent  to  it. 

Petronius  replied,  that  he  was  bound  to  obey  the  com- 
mands of  Caesar  ; and  that  by  granting  their  request,  he 
should  forfeit  his  own  life,  and  they  would  involve  them- 
selves in  a war  which  would  end  in  their  destruction.  They 
replied,  that  they  would  by  no  means  make  war  with  Cae- 
sar ; but  they  were  ready  to  expose  themselves,  their  wives 
and  children,  to  be  slain  rather  than  transgress  the  law  of  God. 
They  then  threw  themselves  down  upon  the  ground,  made 
bare  their  necks,  and  said  they  were  ready  to  be  slain. 

This  inflexible  resolution  to  give  up  their  lives,  as  a vo- 
luntary sacrifice  to  the  sword  of  the  Romans,  rather  than 
give  their  consent  to  the  violation  of  the  sacred  law  of  God, 
so  affected  the  governor’s  feelings,  that  he  was  induced,  at 
the  risk  of  his  own  life,  to  yield  to  their  intreaties,  and  not 
pollute  their  temple  with  Caesar’s  statue.  He  agreed  to 
write  to  Caesar,  and  endeavor  to  prevail  on  him  to  reverse 
his  orders  ; being  resolved,  in  case  he  could  not  succeed,  to 
hazard  his  own  life  for  their  sake,  rather  than  be  instrumen- 
tal of  violating  the  laws,  and  destroying  the  lives  of  a peo- 
ple of  such  inflexible  virtue.  Accordingly  he  drew  off  his 
army,  and  wrote  to  Caesar,  stating  these  circumstances  ; and 
urged  the  necessity  of  relaxing  his  severity  against  a people 
whose  religion  was  dearer  to  them  than  their  lives  ; and  re- 
quested that  he  would  countermand  his  former  injunctions  ; 
unless  he  was  willing  to  risk  the  loss  of  a whole  nation,  and 
their  country. 

On  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  Caius  was  in  a rage  ; and 
gave  orders  for  Petronius  to  become  his  own  executioner. 
But  Divine  Providence  interposed,  and  soon  executed  a 
more  just  decree,  by  cutting  short  the  life  of  this  haughty 
and  cruel  tyrant.  And  the  fatal  order  against  Petronius, 
being  retarded  by  a long  and  violent  storm  at  sea,  did  not 
arrive  till  after  the  news  of  Caesar’s  death  was  published : 
of  course  it  came  too  late  to  be  executed.  Thus  did  the 
Providence  of  God  prepare  a way  to  save  the  Jews,  and 
preserve  the  life  of  the  governor,  who  had  so  kindly  and 
magnanimously  interceded  in  their  behalf,  at  the  imminent 
hazard  of  his  own  life.*  Here  again  we  may  see  the  pow- 
erful and  salutary  effects  of  pacific  principles,  and  the  cer- 


* Jewish  Ant.  b.  xviii  ch.  viii.  and  Jewish  Wars,  b.  il.  ch.  i. 


81 


tain  safety  of  punctual  obedience  to  the  Divine  law.  Such 
effects  would  never  have  been  produced,  nor  such  honor 
gained  by  a foolish  reliance  on  an  arm  of  flesh,  at  the  ha- 
zard of  offending  God. 

This  virtuous  constancy  of  the  Jews  reflects  the  highest 
honor  upon  their  courage.  Where  shall  we  find  an  act  so 
honorable  to  the  courage  of  warriors  ? Could  any  exploit 
of  war  effect  a conquest  so  truly  heroic  ? Behold  this  high- 
minded  Roman  governor,  clothed  with  the  haughty  and  pe- 
remptory mandates  of  the  mighty  sovereign  of  Rome,  and 
surrounded  by  his  numerous  warring  legions,  glorying  in 
their  invincible  power  and  dominion  over  the  nations  ; yet 
so  effectually  conquered  by  the  pacific,  but  inflexible  inte- 
grity of  an  unarmed  people ; and  his  friendship  so  complete- 
ly secured,  that  he  was  ready  to  yield  up  his  own  life  for 
their  sakes  ! Such  are  the  meritorious  advantages  to  be  gain- 
ed by  pacific  principles  ; and  such  an  honorable  conquest  as 
this  never  was,  and  never  can  be  effected  by  war. 

WAR  BETWEEN  THE  JEWS  & ROMANS. 

When  the  Jews,  through  their  own  dissensions  and  poli- 
tical disorders,  afterwards  involved  their  nation  in  a war  with 
the  Romans,  and  provoked  the  Roman  government  to  send 
an  army  against  Jerusalem  , Josephus  constantly  endeavored 
to  prevail  on  his  countrymen  to  accept  the  oflers  of  peace, 
which  the  Roman  general  made  them,  and  which  they  might 
then  have  obtained  on  reasonable  terms,  had  it  not  been  for 
their  own  obstinacy. 

Josephus,  in  one  of  his  speeches,  reminding  the  Jews 
how  God  had  formerly  protected  their  nation,  while  they 
put  their  trust  in  him,  and  conformed  to  his  law,  has  these 
remarkable  expressions : “ We  can  produce  no  example 
wherein  our  fathers  got  any  success  by  war,  or  failed  of 
success,  when  without  war  they  committed  themselves  to 
God.”*  This  testimony  from  that  “learned  historian  and 
celebrated  warrior,”  of  the  Jewish  nation,  is  well  worthy 
of  the  consideration  of  modern  warriors  ; and  more  espe- 
cially, as  it  comes  from  an  anoient  and  skilful  warrior  of  the 
very  nation  which  our  modern  Christian  warriors  profess  to 
take  as  an  example  of  justification  in  going  to  war.  Let  no 
professed  Christian,  after  reading  this  sentence,  plead  the 
policy  or  lawfulness  of  war. 


* Jewish  Wars,  b.  v,  ch.  ix. 


82 


When  Jesus  Christ  appeared  on  earth,  and  published  the 
glad  tidings  of  peace  and  salvation,  the  Jews  rejected  him 
and  his  doctrine : it  was  too  pacific  and  virtuous,  and 
breathed  too  much  of  the  spirit  of  “ peace  and  good  will,” 
to  meet  the  approbation  of  a people  so  greatly  given  to 
strife  and  contention.  They  could  not  be  persuaded  to  re- 
nounce the  practice  of  rendering  evil  for  evil ; they  chose 
rather  to  put  their  trust  in  an  arm  of  flesh,  and  brandish 
the  sw'ord  of  war  against  their  enemies.  Hence  their  for- 
midable objection  against  the  doctrine  of  the  Savior ; “ If 
we  let  him  thus  alone,  all  men  will  believe  on  him,  and 
the  Romans  will  come  and  take  away  both  our  place  and 
nation.” 

Here  is  a powerful  evidence,  that  these  contentious  Jews 
well  knew  the  pacific  nature  and  tendency  of  his  doctrine, 
and  that  those  who  believed  on  him,  conformed  to  his  doc- 
trine, and  followed  his  example,  would  not  bear  the  arms  of 
war,  nor  have  any  thing  to  do  with  their  hostile  conduct 
towards  the  Romans,  which  at  that  period  began  to  show 
itself.  “ If  all  the  Jews  should  embrace  the  pacific  prin- 
ciples of  this  man,  we  should  have  no  soldiers  to  fight  the 
Romans,  and  they  would  come  and  conquer  us  all,  and 
seize  upon  our  country,  and  carry  us  all  into  captivity.” — 
This  was  the  real  import  of  their  language,  and  apparently 
the  foundation  of  their  objection  : for  if  the  followers  of 
Christ  had  been  ready  and  willing  to  unite  with  them,  in 
their  contentions  and  hostilities,  they  could  have  had  no  kind 
of  foundation  for  any  objections  of  that  nature.  But  in  or- 
der to  prevent  the  apprehended  danger  that  was  likely  to 
arise  from  such  principles,  these  lovers  of  war  and  promoters 
of  dissension,  were  determined  to  arrest  this  preacher  of 
“ peace  and  good  will,”  and  to  put  an  effectual  stop  to  the 
progress  of  his  dangerous  doctrines. 

Accordingly  they  had  him  taken  and  crucified  between 
two  thieves ; intending  thereby  to  degrade  him  and  his  doc- 
trines, in  a manner  that  should  prevent  any  further  increase 
or  dissemination  thereof.  This  execution  was  succeeded  by 
a continual  train  of  persecutions  against  his  followers,  as  long 
as  they  continued  in  obedience  to  his  precepts,  and  abstain- 
ed from  war. 

But  did  the  Jews  thereby  prevent  the  Romans  from  bring- 
ing destruction  upon  their  “ place  and  nation  ?”  Did  it  not 
rather  prove  the  very  cause  of  the  calamity  which  they  pre- 
tended so  greatly  to  fear  ? Jerusalem  was,  at  that  time,  fill- 
ed with  all  sorts  of  pollution,  and  deeply  sunk  in  wicked- 


83 


ness.  Seditions,  contentions  and  murders  extensively  pre- 
vailed in  every  part  of  the  city,  and  every  kind  of  abomina- 
tion was  committed  in  it.  Even  the  sacred  temple  itself, 
was  shamefully  polluted  with  the  blood  of  its  citizens. 
Jesus  Christ,  before  his  crucifixion,  wept  over  the  city,  and 
foretold  its  destruction  ; because  they  rejected  the  things  that 
belonged  to  their  peace  ; nor  was  it  in  the  power  of  the  na- 
tion, with  all  the  strength  of  their  fortifications,  their  nu- 
merous armies  and  warlike  preparations,  to  avert  the  awful 
calamities  which  came  upon  them. 

As  they  were  governed  by  the  spirit  of  war,  they  were  al- 
most continually  quarrelling  among  themselves,  or  contend- 
ing with  the  Romans.  Had  the  Jews  been  united  in  heart 
and  hand,  perhaps  no  city  on  earth  was  ever  better  provid- 
ed with  the  means  of  defence,  or  better  prepared  to  sustain 
a siege  against  the  enemy,  than  Jerusalem  was  at  the  com- 
mencement of  their  war  with  the  Romans.  But  the  judg- 
ments of  God  were  upon  them,  and  their  own  contentions 
and  animosities,  which  were  the  effect  of  their  war  spirit, 
proved  more  destructive  to  them  than  the  Roman  armies. 
They  were  brave  indeed,  so  far  as  bravery  consists  in  the 
spirit  of  contention  and  warfare ; but  this  bravery  was 
much  more  conspicuous  and  severe  against  each  other, 
than  it  was  against  the  Romans  ; and  it  finally  led  to  the 
total  destruction  of  their  far  famed  city  and  its  glorious 
temple.  These  the  Romans  themselves  would  gladly  have 
preserved ; but  such  was  the  obstinacy  of  the  Jews,  and 
such  their  confidence  in  their  own  strength  and  bravery, 
even  while  torn  by  contending  factions,  and  distracted 
with  internal  feuds  and  animosities  ; and  while  at  the  same 
time  they  were  perishing  by  the  severest  famine  that  ever 
afflicted  any  nation ; that  rather  than  yield  to  the  mercy 
of  the  Romans,  which  was  constantly  extended  towards 
them,  from  the  beginning,  they  suffered  themselves  and  their 
city  to  be  destroyed  by  the  most  horrid  calamities  ever  ex- 
perienced by  any  nation  on  earth. 

Thus  this  stubborn,  proud  and  haughty  nation  with  all 
their  military  preparations  and  personal  bravery,  could  not 
defend  themselves,  nor  save  their  city  and  nation  from  ruin. 
They  trusted  in  their  own  strength  for  salvation,  while  the 
hand  of  God  was  against  them  ; therefore  they  could  not 
prosper. 

After  the  country  of  Judea  had  been  laid  waste  by  the 
Romans,  and  the  city  and  temple  of  Jerusalem  utterly  de- 
stroyed, in  which,  according  to  the  account  of  Josephus, 


84 


eleven  hundred  thousand  of  the  Jews  perished  by  the  sword, 
famine  and  pestilence,  it  appears  that  the  fortress  of  Massada 
still  remained  unsubdued.  This  fortress,  which  was  not 
far  from  Jerusalem,  was  built  upon  the  lofty  summit  of  a 
vast  rock,  rendered  almost  inaccessible  by  nature,  and  so 
strongly  fortified  by  art,  that  it  seemed  impossible  for  any 
army  to  subdue  it.  It  contained  large  stores  of  provisions 
of  various  kinds,  sufficient  to  supply  the  garrison  for  a long 
period  of  time,  and  weapons  of  war  of  every  description, 
sufficient  for  an  army  of  ten  thousand  men.  It  was  com- 
manded by  a bold  and  daring  warrior,  named  Eleazar ; and 
altho  it  was  bravely  defended ; yet  by  the  skill  and  per- 
severing activity  of  the  Romans,  in  planning  and  preparing 
the  means  of  ascending  this  rocky  mountain,  and  attacking 
the  fortress,  in  which  they  were  signally  favored  by  Divine 
Providence,  all  these  difficulties  were  soon  surmounted, 
the  engines  erected,  and  the  massy  walls  of  the  fortress  shiv- 
ered by  a large  and  powerful  battering  ram. 

This  greatly  alarmed  the  garrison,  who,  after  all  their  ef- 
forts to  frustrate  the  enemy’s  design,  saw  the  danger  to  which 
they  were  exposed,  and  dreaded  the  consequences  cf  faffing 
into  the  hands  of  the  Romans.  In  this  alarming  crisis,  Elea- 
zer  exhorted  his  soldiers  to  fall  by  their  own  swords,  rather 
than  to  be  taken  by  the  enemy,  and  by  them  be  abused  and 
slain.  In  his  speech  to  them  he  says,  “ It  had  been  proper 
indeed  for  us  to  have  conjectured  at  the  purpose  of  God 
much  sooner, — and  to  have  been  sensible  that  the  same  God 
who  had  of  old  taken  the  Jewish  nation  into  his  favor,  had 
now  condemned  them  to  destruction.  For  had  he  continued 
favorable  to  us,  he  would  not  have  overlooked  the  destruc- 
tion of  so  many  men,  nor  delivered  his  most  holy  city  to  be 
burnt  and  demolished  by  our  enemies.” 

After  a lengthy  speech,  in  which  he  acknowledges  their 
pride  and  obstinacy  in  vainly  contending  against  the  Ro- 
mans after  being  forsaken  of  God,  the  work  of  slaughter 
commenced,  and  nine  hundred  and  sixty  Jews,  consisting  of 
men,  women  and  children,  fell  by  their  own  hands,  or  rather 
by  the  hands  of  those  chosen  by  lot  to  execute  the  bloody 
deed,  the  last  of  whom  plunged  the  sword  through  his  own 
body.  All  these  were  found  lying  in  heaps,  and  weltering 
in  their  own  blood,  when  the  Romans  entered  the  place. 
Seven  persons  only,  two  women  and  five  children,  escaped 
this  massacre  by  concealing  themselves  in  one  of  the  subter- 
ranean caverns  of  the  fortress. 


85 


From  an  impartial  review  of  the  history  of  the  Jewish 
nation,  we  are  fully  convinced  of  the  following  facts : 1st. 
That  when  they  were  careful  to  cultivate  the  spirit  of  peace 
and  righteousness,  and  to  walk  in  the  paths  of  justice  and 
truth,  they  were  seldom  molested  by  their  enemies.  2d. 
That  if  such  an  event  did  sometimes  take  place  ; yet  while 
they  put  their  trust  in  God,  and  not  in  an  arm  of  flesh,  they 
were  always  protected  by  the  hand  of  Divine  Power,  and 
not  by  the  arms  of  war.  3d.  That  the  spirit  of  war  and 
contention  always  brought  disgrace  upon  them,  whenever 
they  engaged  in  it  without  Divine  authority  ; and  that  spirit 
was  the  leading  cause  of  the  many  disasters  which  they  met 
with  from  their  enemies,  and  the  direct  means  of  their  final 
destruction  as  an  independent  nation. 

But  notwithstanding  all  that  can  be  said,  respecting  the 
overruling  hand  of  Providence  towards  the  Jews,  many  will 
doubtless  argue,  that  the  Jews,  being  God’s  peculiar  cove- 
nant people,  were  therefore  the  special  objects  of  his  notice, 
both  under  the  prosperous  and  adverse  dispensations  of  his 
providence ; and  that  we  are  not  to  look  for  such  miraculous 
displays  of  Providence  in  this  age  of  the  world,  nor  to  expect 
any  Divine  interposition  in  the  political  concerns  of  nations  : 
That  being  now  favored  with  greater  light,  and  higher  de- 
grees of  civilization,  they  are  leftto  pursue  their  own  policy, 
according  to  their  own  wisdom ; and  therefore  must  depend 
on  their  own  national  energies  for  defence,  and  be  always 
prepared  for  war,  as  the  only  sure  means  of  maintaining 
their  national  rights  and  preserving  peace. 

But  the  fallacy  of  these  arguments  will  appear  very  obvi- 
ous when  contrasted  with  historical  facts.  We  shall  there- 
fore proceed  in  our  next  discourse,  to  examine  the  effects  of 
pacific  principles,  and  produce  some  striking  examples  where- 
in they  have  been  fairly  proved,  and  see  what  instruction 
can  be  drawn  from  them. 


H 


PART  III 


PACIFIC  PRINCIPLES  AND  FAIR  DEALING  THE  BEST  PROTEC- 
TION, AND  THE  ONLY  WISE  POLICY  OF  A NATION. 

The  meek  shall  inherit  the  earth,  and  shall  delight  themselves  in  the 
abundance  of  peace. — Great  peace  have  they  that  love  thy  law,  and  noth- 
ing shall  offend  them.  Psa.  xxxvii.  11.  and  cxix.  165.  Blessed  are  the 
peace-makers;  forthey  shall  be  called  the  children  of  God.  Matt.  v.  9. 

PEACE  ESSENTIAL  TO  CHRISTIANITY. 

Peace  is  an  essential  doctrine  of  Christianity ; but  war  is 
directly  opposed  to  that  doctrine : hence,  wherever  war  ex- 
ists there  can  be  no  Christianity.  Jesus  Christ  was  styled 
the  Prince  of  Peace,  by  prophetic  inspiration,  many  ages 
before  he  appeared  on  earth  ; and  his  birth  was  ushered  in 
by  the  song  of  angels,  proclaiming  “ Peace  on  earth,  and  good 
will  towards  men.”  All  his  doctrines  were  the  doctrines  of 
peace ; his  whole  life  was  spent  in  ministering  peace  and  good 
will,  both  by  precept  and  example  ; and  his  last  gift  to  his  dis- 
ciples was  a gift  of  peace.  “ Peace  I leave  with  you,  my 
peace  I give  unto  you.”*  Hence  no  true  follower  of  Christ 
can  take  upon  him  the  profession  of  arms,  without  forfeiting 
his  title  to  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven,  and  all  his  claims  to 
Christianity.  War  belongs  to  “the  prince  of  this  world;” 
but  the  Kingdom  of  Christ  is  a kingdom  of  peace.  The 
doctrine  of  Christ  never  did,  and  never  can  admit  of  the 
principles  of  war. 

It  is  an  indisputable  fact,  that  in  the  days  of  primitive 
Christianity,  no  such  character  as  a warring  Christian  was 
known.  This  has  been  abundantly  proved  by  various 
Christian  writers,  both  ancient,  and  modern.  Those  who 
wish  to  see  the  evidence  of  ancient  writers  on  this  subject, 
may  find  a sufficient  number  of  quotations  from  them  in 
Clarkson’s  Portraiture  of  Quakerism , volume  3d,  chapter 
3d  ; also  in  Lardner’s  Jewish  and  Heathen  Testimonies- 
Clarkson,  after  producing  a number  of  testimonies  from  an- 
cient writers,  to  prove  that  the  early  Christians  refused  to 
bear  arms,  when  called  upon  for  that  purpose,  because  it 
was  contrary  to  the  religion  of  Christ,  some  of  whom  suffer- 
ed death  in  consequence  of  their  refusal,  makes  the  follow- 
ing very  just  remarks. 

“ It  may  be  considered  as  a well  founded  proposition, 
that,  as  the  lamp  of  Christianity  burnt  bright  in  those  early 


* John  xiv.  27. 


87 


times,  so  those  who  were  illuminated  by  it,  declined  the 
military  profession ; and  that,  as  its  -flame  shone  less  clear, 
they  had  less  objection  to  it.  Thus,  in  the  two  first  centu- 
ries, when  Christianity  was  the  purest,  there  were  no  Chris- 
tian soldiers.  In  the  third  century,  when  it  became  less 
pure,  there  is  frequent  mention  of  such  soldiers.  And  in 
the  fourth,  when  its  corruption  was  fixed,  Christians  enter- 
ed upon  the  profession  of  arms  with  as  little  hesitation  as 
they  entered  upon  any  other  occupation  in  life.”* 

Every  reasonable  and  candid  professor  of  the  Christian 
religion,  will  undoubtedly  acknowledge,  that  the  gospel  of 
Christ  breathes  “ peace  and  good  will  to  man  and  that 
the  very  object  of  this  gospel  is,  to  subdue  the  ferocious  and 
wicked  passions  of  man,  and  bring  them  into  subjection  to 
the  law  of  Christ.  Therefore  the  advocates  of  war  must 
either  vindicate  its  necessity,  upon  the  supposition  that  the 
gospel  is  not  adequate  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  given, 
or  confess  that  they  violate  its  precepts.  In  maintaining 
the  former  opinion,  they  dishonor  God  and  deny  Christ,  by 
denying  the  efficacy  of  his  gospel.  In  admitting  the  latter, 
they  dishonor  themselves,  as  believers  in  the -gospel,  by  act- 
ing in  direct  opposition  to  its  conciliating  precepts. 

Wars  will  doubtless  continue  as  long  as  nations  and  ru- 
lers continue  to  maintain  that  kind  of  policy  which,  in  its 
nature,  is  calculated  to  promote  the  spirit  of  war.  That 
policy  requires  a military  attitude,  and  a constant  prepara- 
tion for  war.  It  also  requires,  in  case  of  dispute  between 
two  nations,  a dignified,  or  rather  an  arrogant  spirit  and  tone 
of  language,  or  what  high-minded  politicians  consider  as  an 
honorable  and  independent  attitude  in  negotiation,  lest  the 
nation  should  appear  to  betray  weakness,  or  fear.  Such  an 
attitude  on  the  part  of  one  nation,  naturally  produces  the 
same  attitude  and  tone  of  language  in  the  opposite  party. 
And  in  proportion  as  each  nation  considers  itself  prepared  to 
maintain  its  supposed  rights  at  the  point  of  the  sword  ; so 
the  tone  and  language  of  each  becomes  more  unyielding  and 
peremptory,  and  terms  of  accommodation  are  thrown  at  a 
greater  distance,  till  exasperation  commences,  and  actual 
hostilities  ensue.  These  are  the  natural,  and  we  will  ven- 
ture to  say,  almost  unavoidable  consequences  of  that  kind 
of  worldly  policy  which  is  so  much  approved,  and  so  high- 
ly esteemed  by  nations  and  rulers,  who  cherish  and  maintain 
the  principles  of  war,  as  the  only  safe  protection  of  a nation. 


* Cltu-kson,  vol  iii,  ch.  3.  sec,  4. 


88 


This  kind  of  policy  has  been  sufficiently  proved  to  con- 
vince any  candid  and  rational  mind,  that  it  can  never  suc- 
ceed in  promoting  peace  and  harmony  between  nations,  any 
more  than  between  societies  and  individuals  in  private  life  ; 
and  every  observing  person  has  seen  enough  of  the  effects 
of  a haughty,  self-sufficient,  and  unyielding  temper  and 
spirit,  in  private  life,  to  know  its  natural  tendency. 

The  happifying  spirit  of  peace  enjoins  upon  us,  and  upon 
all  who  claim  any  relation  to  the  Prince  of  peace,  or  any 
interest  in  his  gospel,  a policy  very  different  from  the  above 
described  policy  of  the  world.  It  enjoins  the  heaven-bom 
policy  of  the  gospel ; — that  policy  which  Jesus  Christ  taught 
when  he  said,  “Blessed  are  the  peace- makers ; for  they 
shall  be  called  the  Children  of  God.”  It  enjoins  meekness, 
patience,  forbearance,  moderation  and  love  ; with  a careful 
regard  to  the  principles  of  justice  and  equity  on  both  sides. 

Were  this  kind  of  policy  carefully  observed,  and  punctu- 
ally maintained  between  nations,  and  all  hostile  preparations 
laid  aside,  wars  would  soon  become  unpopular,  and  of 
course,  would  be  abolished  ; not  merely  as  needless,  but  as 
ruinous  to  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  a nation.  They 
would  then  appear  odious  and  disgusting  to  the  reflections 
and  feelings  of  every  wise  and  honest  statesman  ; and  na- 
tional rulers  might  be  able  to  realize  a felicity  to  them  un- 
known before  ; namely,  that  exalted  felicity  which  arises 
from  a conciousness  of  preserving  and  extending  the  bless- 
ings of  peace  and  happiness  to  their  people,  by  every  lawful 
means  in  their  power.  This  would  bring  greater  honor 
upon  nations  and  rulers,  than  all  they  could  possibly  gain  in 
a thousand  wars. 

Some  will  doubtless  be  ready  to  express  their  fears  and 
apprehensions  of  hostilities  on  the  part  of  other  nations  : 
their  language  is,  “ If  we  should  cease  from  war,  and  from 
all  defensive  preparations,  we  should  be  exposed  to  the  evil 
designs  of  our  adversaries,  who  would  take  advantage  of 
our  defenceless  state,  and  “ come  and  take  away  our  place 
and  nation.”  This  was  the  fear  of  the  old  Jews,  at  the  first 
promulgation  of  the  gospel  of  peace,  by  Jesus  Christ  him- 
self ; and  the  same  fear  has  been  handed  down,  from  genera- 
tion to  generation,  even  to  this  day.  But  what  sort  of  fear  is 
this  ? Certainly  it  is  not  a fear  which  arises  from  true  cou- 
rage and  confidence  in  the  gospel  of  Christ.  We  can  call  it 
nothing  but  that  cowardly  fear  which  springs  from  conscious 
guilt,  such  as  that  which  “makes  the  devils  tremble”;  a 
fear  which  finds  no  place  in  a justified  conscience ; but 


89 


is  very  often  found  among  the  advocates  of  war : hence 
their  reasons  for  maintaining  a warlike  attitude.  To  such 
we  might  justly  say  with  the  celebrated  Roman  poet  ; 
Degeneres  animos  tbnor  arguit.* 

But  the  ready  answer  of  the  peace-loving  Christian  isr 
We  should  have  no  adversaries  ; of  course,  no  evil  designs 
could  be  formed  against  those  who  have  no  adversaries. 
The  fair  and  open  practice  of  pacific  principles,  would  soon 
disarm  even  the  most  savage  nations ; as  was  fairly  proved 
by  William  Penn  and  his  colony  of  Quakers,  in  the  first 
settlement  of  Pennsylvania. 

Pursuant  to  our  design  on  this  subject,  we  shall  proceed 
to  show  the  beneficial  influence  of  pacific  principles ; and 
how  far  they  have  tended  to  promote  the  happiness  and  pros- 
perity of  mankind,  and  been  the  means  of  protecting  those 
who  have  been  governed  thereby,  from  the  evils  incident  to 
a state  of  war.  We  shall  begin  with 

THE  CHINESE  EMPIRE. 

According  to  the  best  accounts,  it  appears  that  this  empire 
rose  about  the  same  time  with  those  of  Babylon  and  Assy- 
ria. It  also  appears  that  the  Chinese,  from  their  earliest 
rise,  have  maintained  a more  pacific  policy  than  any  other 
nation  known  in  history.  This  is  undoubtedly  the  cause 
of  the  long  duration  of  that  empire,  and  of  its  unexampled 
prosperity  and  numerous  population.  While  all  other  na- 
tions of  antiquity  have  been  blotted  out  from  under  heaven, 
this  alone  has  been  preserved  in  existence. 

True  it  is  that  the  Chinese  have  not  fully  maintained  the 
principles  of  peace  through  this  long  period  of  their  national 
existence,  but  have  occasionally  taken  up  arms  for  self-de- 
fence. Hence  they  have  not  been  wholly  divested  of  the 
spirit  of  war,  which  has  occasionally  been  excited  between 
them  and  other  nations,  and  produced  invasions  and  revolu- 
tions among  themselves.  But  as  their  leading  policy  has 
been  much  more  pacific  than  that  of  other  nations  ; so  they 
have  been  comparatively  more  blessed  and  prospered,  and 
been  less  afflicted  by  wars  and  hostile  commotions  than  oth- 
er nations.  Doubtless  the  very  limited  intercourse  they 
have  ever  maintained  with  other  nations,  and  especially 
with  the  warring  nations  of  Europe,  has  been  very  favorable 
to  their  pacific  policy. 


* Fear  argues  a degenerate  mind. 

H 2 


90 


It  is  said  that  the  Chinese  cautiously  avoid  political  alli- 
ances, and  even  commercial  treaties  with  foreign  nations, 
lest  they  should  thereby  become  entangled  and  corrupted 
with  their  customs  and  manners,  which  might  eventually  in- 
volve their  nation  in  the  calamities  of  war.  Their  com- 
mercial policy  merely  admits  trading  nations  to  enter  their 
ports  and  trade,  so  long  as  they  will  be  subject  to  their  com- 
mercial regulations.  They  have  sometimes  brought  pow- 
erful nations  to  their  terms,  and  dissolved  the  powerful  ar- 
maments of  haughty  warring  nations,  without  any  hostili- 
ties. A nation  that  is  able  to  accomplish  deeds  like  these, 
by  pacific  means,  is  able  to  teach  the  advocates  of  war  a les- 
son of  wisdom  which  they  never  can  learn  in  the  science  of 
war ; and  by  which  they  may  obtain  a more  noble  victory 
than  was  ever  obtained  by  Alexander  the  great  or  Napoleon 
Bonaparte. 

Had  the  Chinese  supported  the  same  hostile  principles, 
which  were  maintained  by  those  ancient  nations  who  were 
their  cotemporaries,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that,  long  ere  this 
time,  they  would  have  ceased  to  exist  as  a nation.  Perhaps 
no  country  on  earth  could  be  more  inviting,  or  promise  a 
richer  harvest  to  the  conquerer.  To  what  then  can  we 
attribute  their  long  existence,  and  their  protection  from  in- 
vasion and  conquest,  but  to  their  pacific  policy  ? And  it  ap- 
pears that  their  prosperity,  peace  and  happiness,  have  been 
proportionate  to  their  pacific  principles ; and  on  the  other 
hand,  that  their  national  affliction  and  adversity  have  nearly 
corresponded,  in  extent  and  degree,  with  their  indulgence  of 
the  principles  of  war. 

They  were  indeed  once  conquered  by  the  Tartars  ; but 
it  appears  that  this  unfortunate  event  happened  in  conse- 
quence (and  a very  natural  consequence  it  was)  of  their 
suffering  the  spirit  of  war  to  spring  uptn  the  nation,  which 
produced  a rebellion  in  their  own  bowels.  But  after  return- 
ing to  their  pacific  habits  again,  they  obtained  a more  im- 
portant and  a more  honorable  conquest  over  the  Tartars,  by 
inducing  them  to  embrace  the  Chinese  customs  and  manners, 
and  to  blend  Tartary  with  the  Chinese  empire.  But  had 
they  invariably  maintained  their  pacific  principles,  and  made 
no  provision  for  war,  they  would  undoubtedly  have  enjoy- 
ed a far  greater  degree  of  happiness  and  prosperity. 

As  a further  illustration  of  the  good  effects  of  pacific  prin- 
ciples upon  the  people  of  any  society,  state  or  government, 
and  more  especially  when  displayed  by  the  rulers  of  a nation, 
we  shall  introduce,  the  examples  of  two  ancient  rulers  of 


91 


Rome,  the  one  a king,  and  the  other  an  emperor,  who,  at 
different  periods,  governed  that  nation  according  to  these 
principles.  The  first  of  these  was 

NUMA  POMPILIUS. 

Romulus,  who  gave  name  to  the  city  of  Rome,  and  was 
called  its  founder,  was,  at  the  commencement  of  his  career, 
the  chief  of  a band  of  robbers.  He  was  bold,  courageous 
and  successful  in  his  depredations  on  the  property  of  others  ; 
and  thereby  accumulated  considerable  riches,  increased  his 
reputation  as  a successful  leader,  and  laid  the  foundation 
of  the  Roman  empire.  At  his  death  he  left  it  greatly  em- 
broiled with  the  neighboring  nations. 

Numa  Pompilius  was  called  by  the  people,  to  take  the 
government  of  the  state,  as  their  king.  He  at  first  declined 
the  offer,  “alleging  that  his  love  of  peace  and  retirement 
disqualified  him  for  reigning  over  a people  who  delighted  in 
war.  ” The  people,  however,  persisted  in  their  solicitations  ; 
and  Numa  was  finally  induced  to  acquiesce,  and  take  upon 
him  the  regal  government. 

“ Kuma’s  natural  disposition  for  moderation,  probity  and 
justice,  had  been  strengthened  by  aproper  education.  Early 
inured  to  industry  and  labor,  and  extremely  averse  to  ambi- 
tion and  violence,  he  infused  the  same  sentiments  into  the 
minds  of  his  subjects.  By  his  wisdom,  he  first  allayed  the 
internal  dissensions  that  had  previously  existed  among  the 
Romans ; and  then  formed  such  regulations  as  might  pre- 
serve peace,  and  cause  justice  to  flourish.  He  very  judi- 
ciously began  by  dismissing  the  three  hundred  celeres,  form- 
ed by  Romulus,  as  a guard  to  attend  the  king  ; not  wish- 
ing to  reign  over  a people  he  distrusted,  and  thinking  it  im- 
proper to  distrust  a people  who  had  compelled  him  to  reign 
over  them.” 

“ He  acknowledged  a first  principle  of  all  things,  who  is 
invisible,  incorruptible,  and  purely  intelligent ; and  for  this 
reason  forbade  the  Romans  to  represent  God  in  the  form  of 
man  or  beast.  He  dedicated  himself  (says  Livy)  entirely 
to  the  service  of  the  citizens  and  strangers,  to  whom  he  was 
counsellor,  arbiter  and  judge.  All  formed  their  manners  by 
those  of  the  king,  whom  they  took  for  their  sole  pattern. 
Hence  the  nations  about  him,  who  had  before  considered 
Rome  more  like  a camp  than  a city,  conceived  such  a rev- 
erence for  them,  that  they  would  have  thought  it  a sort  of 
impiety,  to  attack  a people  wholly  intent  on  serving  God  and 


92 


making  men  happy.”  Thus  he  not  only  quieted  the  dissen- 
sions that  previously  existed  among  the  Romans,  and  dis- 
armed them  of  their  hostile  principles ; but  by  his  pacific 
policy,  he  also  subdued  the  hostile  spirit  of  the  neighboring 
nations,  and  by  this  means  greatly  increased  the  power  and 
influence  of  the  state  and  nation.  It  appears  that  he  did  not 
merely  conquer  the  hostile  power  of  his  enemies  ; but  ef- 
fected a conquest  over  their  minds,  and  made  them  his 
friends.  This  is  a conquest  which  war  could  never  obtain. 

“ A wonderful  change  of  manners  also  prevailed  in  the 
neighboring  cities  : as  if  Numa’s  wisdom  had  been  a plen- 
tiful fountain,  from  which  the  streams  of  virtue  and  justice 
had  flowed  into  the  minds  of  the  people.  Instead  of  mar- 
tial ardor,  an  eager  desire  to  live  in  peace,  to  cultivate  their 
lands,  and  thus  to  bring  up  their  children,  infused  into  their 
minds  the  same  tranquillity  which  reigned  in  his  own.  He 
became  the  arbiter  of  all  the  differences  among  the  neigh- 
boring nations  ; and  as  to  the  Romans  themselves,  it  might 
be  literally  said,  that  the  weapons  of  war  were  changed  into 
instruments  of  husbandry.  No  intestine  seditions,  no  ambi- 
tious desires  for  the  throne,  nor  so  much  as  any  murmurs 
against  the  person  or  administration  of  the  king,  appeared 
among  them.” 

Thus  it  appears  that  Numa  effected  a far  greater  conquest, 
solely  by  the  principles  of  peace  and  justice,  than  Romulus 
ever  had  done  by  the  force  of  arms  ; and  he  also  proved  a 
much  more  powerful  protector  to  the  Roman  people  than 
Romulus  ever  was,  with  all  his  bravery,  military  talents 
and  power.  It  appears  also  that  Numa’s  wisdom  and  pa- 
cific principles  wrought  a wonderful  change  among  his 
neighbors,  who,  instead  of  displaying  a martial  ambition, 
and  seeking  foreign  conquests,  showed  a greater  desire  of 
cultivating  peace  and  managing  their  affairs  at  home.  Such 
effects  as  these  could  never  be  produced  by  war ; on  the 
contrary,  war  is  the  very  source  of  all  the  evils  which  Nu- 
ma here  remedied  or  prevented,  by  a pacific  policy,  and  the 
wise  and  powerful  principles  and  practice  of  justice,  equity 
and  peace. 

Romulus,  at  his  death,  left  many  dissensions  among  his 
people,  having  many  enemies  at  home,  and  all  the  neighbor- 
ing nations  and  cities  at  enmity  with  him,  and  with  the  Ro- 
mans. Numa,  it  appears,  died  without  an  enemy  at  home 
or  abroad.  The  Romans  “ lamented  him  as  sincerely  as  if 
every  man  had  lost  his  own  father ; and  the  concourse  of 
strangers  at  Rome,  to  celebrate  his  obsequies,  was  exceeds 


93 


iiigly  great.”  Romulus  lived  in  perils  and  dangers,  sur- 
rounded by  enemies  at  home  and  abroad,  and  at  his  death, 
many  of  his  own  people,  and  doubtless  most  of  his  neigh- 
bors, rejoiced.  Numa  enjoyed  peace  and  happiness  in  his 
own  dominions,  was  beloved  and  respected  by  all  his  peo- 
ple, to  whom  he  gave  law  without  violence,  dispensing  jus- 
tice to  all  around  him.  In  this  manner  he  gained  the  re- 
spect and  admiration  of  the  neighboring  nations,  who  were 
all  conquered,  by  his  pacific  and  upright  conduct,  into  a last- 
ing friendship  with  him.  He  began  his  reign  about  715 
years  before  the  birth  of  Christ,  and  reigned  forty- three  years. 

Who  can  view,  with  an  impartial  eye,  the  opposite  cha- 
racters of  these  two  ancient  kings  of  Rome,  without  giving 
the  latter  a decided  preference,  both  as  to  the  exalted  digni- 
ty of  his  character,  and  the  superior  wisdom  of  his  govern- 
ment ? Can  any  man,  under  the  free  exercise  of  his  ra- 
tional faculties,  hesitate,  for  a moment,  which  of  these  two 
characters  he  would  prefer  as  a model  for  imitation  ? 

ANTONINUS  PIUS. 

After  the  Roman  empire  had  passed  through  ages  of  dis- 
sension, war  and  violence,  and  had  but  just  passed  the  ze- 
nith of  her  military  glory,  the  same  happy  effects  that  had 
been  produced  in  the  early  period  of  her  history,  under  the 
wise  and  pacific  administration  of  Numa  Pompilius,  were 
again  produced  by  the  same  means,  under  the  administration 
of  the  emperor  Titus  Antoninus,  commonly  called  Antoni- 
nus Pius.  The  goodness  of  this  emperor  was  so  great, 
that  it  was  said  he  had  outdone  all  example.  He  had  no 
war  during  his  reign,  which  continued  nearly  twenty-three 
years.  “ He  is  compared  to  Numa  on  account  of  his  virtues, 
his  love  of  religion  and  peace,  his  justice  and  clemency. — 
It  was  his  favorite  maxim,  that  ‘ he,  would  rather  save  the 
life  of  one  citizen,  than  put  to  death  a thousand  enemies.’ 
And  it  is  stated  as  a remarkable  fact,  that  princes  referred 
their  controversies  to  his  decision.”*  He  began  his  reign 
about  138  years  after  Christ,  and  reigned  twenty-two  years 
and  eight  months. 

Thus  it  appears,  that  after  the  Romans  had  considered 
themselves  the  conquerors  and  masters  of  the  world  ; and 
after  ages  of  war  and  violence  had  raised  the  ambition  of 
the  nation  to  aspire  after  military  fame,  as  the  greatest  glo- 


* Clarkson. 


94 


ry  of  the  empire,  and  the  most  honorable  pursuit  of  its  citi- 
zens ; one  virtuous  and  pacific  ruler,  by  the  powerful  influ- 
ence of  the  principles  of  peace  and  justice,  had  the  good 
fortune  to  turn  the  current  of  national  prejudice  to  the  side 
of  peace,  and  quell  the  hostile  spirit  of  war,  which  had  been 
so  long  nourished  and  strengthened  as  the  great  protecting 
deity  of  the  nation.  And  yet  the  peace  and  safety  of  the 
nation  were  so  far  from  being  endangered,  or  its  power  and 
influence  lessened  by  these  means,  that  the  latter  were  more 
increased,  and  the  former  better  secured,  than  they  possibly 
could  have  been  by  war.  For  the  pacific  principles  and 
conduct  of  Antoninus  produced  their  natural  effects,  and  cau- 
sed him  to  be  so  highly  respected  by  the  surrounding  na- 
tions, that  he  became  the  judge  and  arbiter  of  their  contro- 
versies. Thus  he  effected  a greater  conquest,  and  obtained 
greater  power,  than  was  ever  obtained  by  war. 

Thus  have  we  given  a short  sketch  of  the  pacific  admi- 
nistration of  two  rulers-of  ancient  Rome,  and  of  the  effects 
they  produced  on  the  Roman  people  and  the  neighboring  na- 
tions. By  displaying  the  principles  of  peace  and  justice, 
and  putting  these  principles  into  successful  operation,  they 
obtained  a far  greater  and  more  glorious  conquest  than  was 
ever  obtained  by  all  the  fighting  emperors,  kings  and  heroes 
that  Rome  ever  produced.  And  let  it  he  ever  remembered, 
that  the  government  of  these  pacific  rulers  afforded  a greater 
security  against  invasion,  and  a more  effectual  protection  to 
the  lives  of  their  subjects,  than  all  the  military  preparations 
that  ever  were  made  by  that  nation.  Let  it  also  be  remem- 
bered, that  altho  more  than  eight  hundred  years  distant,  as 
to  time  ; yet  the  same  principles  produced  the  same  effects. 

Here  we  would  seriously  and  respectfully  invite  the  ru- 
lers of  nations  to  look  at  these  two  sovereigns  of  ancient 
Rome,  and  let  them  talk  no  more  about  the  impossibility  of 
maintaining  peace,  or  of  defending  a nation  without  arms ; let 
them  consider  that  any  nation,  under  the  administration  of 
just  and  peaceable  rulers,  may  not  only  be  protected  from 
their  enemies,  but  may  secure  the  favor  and  friendship  of  all 
other  nations.  Let  them  no  longer  cast  the  blame  of  war 
upon  any  principle  inherent  in  human  nature,  but  upon  their 
own  mis-improvement  of  those  rational  faculties  which  God 
has  given  them.  Let  every  civil  government,  and  every  na- 
tional ruler  follow  the  wise  and  pacific  examples  of  Numa 
and  Antoninus,  and  national  wars,  and  hostile  fleets  and  ar- 
mies, will  no  longer  be  known  upon  the  earth- 


95 


What  a disgrace  to  the  Christian  name,  that  those  ancient 
sovereigns,  who  by  Christian  professors  are  called  pagans, 
should  set  an  example  of  peace  more  worthy  of  the  religion 
of  Christ,  who  is  the  Prince  of  peace,  than  was  ever  re- 
corded of  any  Christian  prince  or  sovereign  on  earth  ! Is  it 
not  high  time  for  those  who  name  the  name  of  Christ,  to 
wipe  off  this  foul  stain  from  their  religion,  or  talk  no  more 
about  a benign  gospel  ? 

The  powerful  influence  of  the  divine  spirit  of  peace,  in 
restraining  and  subduing  the  ferocious  passions  of  man,  in 
securing  the  blessings  of  peace,  in  promoting  the  happiness 
and  prosperity  of  nations,  and  preserving  the  rights  and 
privileges  of  societies  and  individuals,  is  far  more  efficacious 
than  all  the  formidable  preparations,  and  refined  arts  of  hos- 
tility, that  the  spirit  and  policy  of  war  ever  did,  or  ever  can 
produce.  This  is  fully  confirmed  by  actual  experiments, 
made  by  pacific  rulers  and  eminent  philanthropists,  in  dif- 
ferent states  and  nations,  in  various  ages  of  the  world,  and 
in  various  grades  of  society,  both  in  civilized  and  savage 
life. 

If  the  divine  influence  of  pacific  principles  could  quell  the 
horrid  monster  of  war,  in  the  fighting  legions  of  ancient  Rome, 
in  its  almost  barbarous  state  of  society,  and  produce  a period 
of  happiness  and  prosperity  under  Numa  Pompilius  ; and  if 
the  same  divine  influence  could  prevail  over  that  mighty  em- 
pire, under  Antoninus  Pius,  when  in  its  highest  state  of  re- 
finement in  arts  and  arms,  when  martial  skill  and  ambition 
were  counted  the  highest  honor  and  glory,  when  the  nation 
was  proud  and  jealous  of  its  rights,  and  when  its  gigantic 
power  and  military  fame  were  extensively  known  and  dread- 
ed ; why  should  not  the  same  influence  produce  the  same 
effects  at  this  day  ? That  it  can , has  already  been  sufficient- 
ly proved.  The  same  pacific  spirit  has  manifested,  in  these 
latter  ages,  its  superior  influence  over  the  savage  tribes  of 
this  western  world,  and  produced  the  same  happy  effects 
under  the  just  and  equitable  administration  of  the  celebrated 
William  Penn. 

WILLIAM  PENN.* 

This  justly  renowned  Friend  and  philanthropist,  the  first 
lawgiver  of  Pennsylvania,  and  founder  of  Philadelphia,  was 
the  son  and  only  child  of  Admiral  Penn,  of  the  royal  navy 


* The  substance  of  the  following  account  is  mostly  taken  from  Weems’s  Life  of 
William  Penn , and  Clarkson’s  Portraiture  of  Quakerism . 


96 


of  Great  Britain.  At  the  admiral’s  decease  he  left  his  es- 
tate to  his  son  William,  together  with  a debt  due  from  the 
crown  of  England,  to  the  amount  of  16,000  pounds  ster- 
ling. After  many  fruitless  endeavors  to  obtain  this  money, 
William  Penn  applied  to  Charles  II.  for  a grant  of  land  in 
North  America,  in  payment  of  the  debt.  His  object  in  ma- 
king this  request  was,  to  provide  an  asylum  for  his  perse- 
cuted friends  the  Quakers,  who  were,  at  that  time,  suffer- 
ing for  their  religion,  under  the  ruthless  hand  of  ecclesiasti- 
cal tyranny. 

Charles,  who  highly  respected  the  old  admiral,  had  pro- 
mised him,  on  his  death-bed,  to  be  a friend  to  William,  and 
having  (like  Herod  of  old  towards  John  the  Baptist)  a 
great  lilting  towards  William,  was  induced  to  grant  his  re- 
quest. Accordingly  he  had  the  instrument  drawn  up  in 
due  form,  and  endorsed,  “ A deed  of  a certain  new  Pro- 
vince in  JVorth  America , for  my  beloved  subject  and  friend, 
William  Penn .”  The  king,  on  presenting  him  with  the 
deed,  jocosely  said,  “ Well,  friend  William,  you’ll  see  in 
this  paper  that  I have  done  something  handsome  for  you. — 
Yes,  man,  I have  given  you  there  a territory  in  North 
America,  as  large  as  my  own  island  of  Great  Britain.  And 
knowing  what  a fighting  family  you  are  sprung  from,  I 
have  made  you  governor  and  captain-general  of  all  its  coasts, 
and  seas,  and  bays,  and  rivers,  and  mountains,  and  forests, 
and  population.” 

When  William  informed  the  king  of  his  determination  to 
remove  to  his  new  province,  Charles  expressed  great  sur- 
prise that  he  should  venture  himself,  unarmed,  among  the 
savages  of  North  America,  and  said,  “ I have  no  idea  of 
any  security  against  these  cannibals,  but  in  a regiment  of 
good  soldiers,  with  their  muskets  and  bayonets.  And  mind, 
I tell  you  beforehand,  that  with  all  my  good  will  for  you 
and  your  family,  to  whom  I am  under  obligations,  I’ll  not 
send  a single  soldier  with  you.” 

“ I want  none  of  thy  soldiers,”  answered  William,  plea- 
santly. “ I depend  upon  something  better  than  thy  sol- 
diers.” The  king  wanted  to  know  what  that  was.  “ Why 
I depend  on  themselves  ; on  their  own  moral  sense,”  re- 
plied William  ; “ even  on  that  grace  of  God  which  briny- 
eth  salvation,  and  which  hath  appeared  unto  all  mend'1 — 
“ I fear,  friend  William,”  said  the  king,  “ that  that  grace 
has  never  appeared  to  the  Indians  of  North  America.” — 
“ Why  not  to  them,  as  well  as  to  all  others  ?”  asked 
Penn.  “ If  it  had  appeared  to  them,”  said  Charles,  “ they 


97 


would  hardly  have  treated  my  subjects  so  barbarously  as 
they  have  done.” 

“ That  is  no  proof  to  the  contrary,  friend  Charles.  Thy 
subjects  were  the  aggressors.  When  thy  subjects  first 
went  to  North  America,  they  found  these  poor  people  the 
fondest  and  kindest  creatures  in  the  world.  Every  day  they 
would  watch  for  them  to  come  ashor£,  and  hasten  to  meet 
them,  and  feast  them  on  their  best  fish,  and  venison,  and 
corn,  which  was  all  they  had.  In  return  for  this  hospitality 
of  the  savages,  as  we  call  them,  thy  subjects,  termed  Chris- 
tians, seized  on  their  country  and  rich  hunting  grounds,  for 
farms  for  themselves  ! Now  can  it  be  wondered  at,  that 
these  much  injured  people  should  have  been  driven  to  des- 
peration by  such  injustice  ; and  that,  burning  with  revenge, 
they  should  have  committed  some  excesses  ?” 

“ Well  then,  I hope,  friend  William,”  said  the  king, 
“ you’ll  not  complain  when  they  come  to  treat  you  in  the 
same  manner.”  “ I am  not  afraid  of  it,”  replied  William. 
“Aye!  how  will  you  avoid  it  ? You  mean  to  get  their 
hunting  grounds  too,  I suppose.” 

“ Yes ; but  not  by  driving  these  poor  people  away  from 
them,”  said  William.  “ How  then  will  you  get  their  lands  ?” 
asked  Charles.  “ I mean  to  buy  their  lands  of  them,”  re- 
plied William,  firmly.  “ Buy  their  lands  of  them!”  said 
the  king  ; “ Why  man,  you  have  already  bought  them  of 
me.” 

“ Yes,  I know  I have  ; and  at  a dear  rate  too,”  said  Wil- 
liam ; “ but  I did  it  only  to  get  thy  good  will ; not  that  I 
thought  thou  hadst  any  right  to  their  lands.”  “Zounds, 
man  ! no  right  to  their  lands  !”  said  the  Icing,  hastily.  “ No, 
friend  Charles,  no  right  at  all.  What  right  hadst  thou  to 
their  lands  ?” 

“ Why,  the  right  of  discovery — the  right  which  the  Pope 
and  all  Christian  kings  have  agreed  to  give  one  another.” 

“ The  right  of  discovery  /”  replied  William,  half  smiling, 
“a  strange  kind  of  right,  indeed!  Now,  suppose,  friend 
Charles,  some  canoe  loads  of  these  Indians,  crossing  the 
sea,  and  discovering  thy  island  of  Great  Britain,  were  to 
claim  it  as  their  own,  and  set  it  up  for  sale  over  thy  head, 
what  wouldst  thou  think  of  it  ?” 

“ Why — why — why,”  replied  Charles,  blushing,  “ I 
must  confess  I should  think  it  a piece  of  great  impudence 
in  them.” 


I 


98 


“ Well  then,  how  canst  thou,  as  a Christian , and  a Chris- 
tian prince  too,  do  that  which  thou  so  utterly  condemnest 
in  these  people,  whom  thou  callest  savages ?” 

The  king  being  rather  too  much  staggered  to  make  a reply, 
William  thus  went  on; — “Yes,  friend  Charles,  and  sup- 
pose again,  that  these  Indians,  on  thy  refusal  to  give  up  thy 
island  of  Great  Britain,  were  to  make  war  on  thee,  and  hav- 
ing weapons  more  destructive  than  thine,  were  to  destroy 
many  of  thy  subjects,  and  to  drive  the  rest  away,  wouldst 
thou  not  think  it  horribly  cruel?” 

The  king  with  strong  marks  of  conviction,  agreeing  to 
this,  William  thus  proceeded:  “ Well  then,  friend  Charles, 
how  can  I,  who  call  myself  a Christian , do  that  which  I 
should  abhor,  even  in  heathens.  No,  I will  not  do  it.  I 
will  not  use  the  right  to  their  land,  tho  I have  bought  it  of 
thee,  at  a dear  rate.  But  I will  buy  the  right  of  the  proper 
owners,  even  of  the  Indians  themselves.  By  doing  this,  I 
shall  imitate  God  himself,  in  his  justice  and  mercy,  and  there- 
by ensure  his  blessing  on  my  colony,  if  I should  ever  live 
to  plant  one  in  North  America.” 

The  event  proved  his  wisdom  and  his  justice.  When  he 
and  his  associates  came  to  this  country,  they  brought  with 
them  the  pacific  policy  of  the  Prince  of  Peace  ; and  this  po- 
licy was  preserved  in  all  their  intercourse  with  the  native 
inhabitants.  At  the  first  interview  with  the  natives,  whom 
Penn  had  called  together  for  the  purpose,  he  addressed  them 
in  the  language  of  kindness,  benevolence  and  peace,  and  as 
the  rightful  owners  of  the  soil  on  which  they  lived.  Tho 
they  appeared  in  vast  numbers,  armed  with  bows  and  ar- 
rows, and  in  all  the  habiliments  of  Avar ; so  that  it  appeared 
to  the  Quakers  on  shipboard,  as  tho  the  woods  were  all 
alive  with  them  ; yet  William  Penn  was  in  no  Avise  daunted 
with  this  formidable  appearance.  At  mid-day,  which  was 
the  time  appointed  to  meet, !<  he  got  into  the  boat  and  went 
on  shore,  Avith  a countenance  serene  and  pleasant,  as  if  he 
had  been  going  to  dine  with  his  friends.” 

The  place  of  their  meeting  was  on  the  western  banks  of 
the  Delaware,  “ on  a fine  green,  near  the  pleasant  villages  of 
Shakamaxon  and  Coaquanoc,  Avhere  Kensington  now  stands. 
As  if  purposely  formed  to  be  the  theatre  of  that  memorable 
event,  an  elm  tree,  of  extraordinary  size,  lifted  high  its  toAV- 
ering  top,  and  from  its  giant  arms  threw  far  and  wide  a re- 
freshing shade  over  many  a grassy  acre.  Seeing  the  Indi- 
ans, men,  women  and  children,  assembled  under  this  tree, 
William  Penn,  attended  only  by  a few  of  his  Quakers,  ad- 


99 


vanced  towards  them,  with  no  other  mark  of  rank  but  a 
sash  of  blue  silk,  which  is  still  seen  in  the  Penn  families  in 
England.  The  Indians  were  struck  at  his  presence.  A 
stranger  advancing  towards  them,  with  no  guards  around 
his  person,  no  weapons  of  war  in  his  hands,  and  no  armour 
-of  defence  but  the  majestic  sweetness  of  his  own  looks,  was 
a spectacle  that  impressed  them  all  with  veneration.” 

With  these  impressions  in  his  favor,  they  readily  obeyed 
his  signal  to  sit  down,  and  were  soon  all  seated,  in  a semi- 
circular form,  on  the  ground.  William  Penn  then  addressed 
them,  through  an  interpreter,  in  language  so  plain,  simple 
and  intelligible  to  their  understanding  ; and  yet  so  kind,  be- 
nevolent and  conciliatory,  that  it  quickly  awakened  all  the 
tender  sensibilities  of  these  untaught  children  of  the  forest. 
In  his  speech,  he  fully  convinced  them  of  his  pacific  dispo- 
sition, and  of  his  sacred  regard  for  justice  and  truth,  and 
clearly  manifested  his  exalted  veneration  for  the  Supreme 
Ruler  of  the  universe,  and  his  great  love  for  all  his  fellow 
creatures,  of  whatever  clime  or  color.  Indeed  there  was 
so  much  of  a God-like  benevolence  in  his  discourse,  that  he 
seemed  like  a heavenly  messenger  of  good  things,  sent  from 
the  Great  Spirit,  to  teach  them  kindness  and  love,  justice 
and  truth,  and  to  show  them  how  to  practice  these  heavenly 
principles,  in  all  their  intercourse  and  dealings  with  their 
feilow  beings.  He  also  displayed  before  their  gazing  eyes 
the  various  articles  of  good  things,  which  he  had  brought 
over  the  great  water,  to  give  them  for  their  lands  ; and  he 
taught  them  the  use  of  these  things,  among  which  were 
many  implements  of  husbandry,  and  mechanic  tools  of  va- 
rious kinds. 

In  short,  these  wild  children  of  the  woods  were  so  delight- 
ed and  elevated  with  their  white  brothers,  and  especially  with 
father  Onas,  as  they  called  William  Penn,  that  they  were 
ready  to  oblige  him  in  anything  he  desired  of  them.  They 
told  him,  that  if  he  saw  they  had  looked  angry  at  first,  it 
was  because  they  had  heard  from  their  friends,  the  Chesa- 
peakes , and  JVIussuwomecs , and  Susquehannocks,  that  the 
white  men  beyond  them,  had  killed  the  red  men,  and  had 
taken  their  land  and  deer.  And  also  that  their  neighbors, 
the  Passaicks,  and  Manhattans,  had  told  them  how  the 
white  men,  with  bows  and  arrows  of  fire,  had  killed  many 
Indians  there  too.  “ Bad  white  men!”  said  they,  shaking 
their  heads — “ bad  white  men,  to  kill  their  red  brothers  ! But 
you  no  bad  white  man ! Oh  no  ; you  good  white  man  ! You 
all  the  same  as  red  man  ! You  one  brother  ! You  bring  red 


100 


men  good  things  ! We  love  you  much  ! We  give  you  land, 
- and  deer,  and  turkies  plenty ! You  live  with  us,  all  brothers 
together  as  long  as  the  sun  and  moon  give  light.” 

After  many  expressions  of  simple,  heart-felt  joy,  on  the 
part  of  the  natives,  and  some  further  conference  between 
Penn  and  the  chiefs,  he  entered  into  a treaty  with  them  for 
lands,  in  exchange  for  goods,  which  was  executed  according 
to  the  usual  formalities  of  the  natives,  and  to  the  mutual  satis- 
faction of  both  parties.  Penn  made  no  military  preparations 
for  defence  ; but  treated  the  natives  with  humanity  and  jus- 
tice, and  enacted  laws  to  protect  their  just  rights  and  privileges, 
as  well  as  those  of  the  whites.  By  these  means,  he  pre- 
served their  confidence  and  friendship,  and  left  no  room  for 
the  operation  of  hostile  passions,  nor  any  ground  of  com- 
plaint. Thus  he  saved  all  the  expense  and  hazard  of  war, 
and  preserved  the  lives,  both  of  his  own  people,  and  the  na- 
tives. And  so  complete  was  the  conquest  which  he  gained 
over  these  savages  of  the  wilderness,  by  this  pacific  course 
of  conduct,  that,  even  to  this  day,  the  Quakers  are  highly 
respected  by  them,  and  have  more  influence  over  them,  es- 
pecially over  those  tribes  who  are  acquainted  with  them, 
than  all  the  armies  and  military  authorities  of  the  United 
States. 

Far  different  was  the  conduct  of  the  settlers  in  all  the 
other  colonies.  They  came  to  this  country  with  those  ideas 
of  worldly  policy  which  require  a military  attitude,  as  the 
only  means  of  protection  and  safety ; and  accordingly,  made 
it  their  first  object  to  prepare  for  defence  against  the  savage 
inhabitants.  Tho  they  were,  in  general,  strict  professors  of 
the  Christian  religion ; yet  they  had  not  learned  that  the  art 
of  war  was  utterly  incompatible  with  the  religion  of  Christ. 
Like  the  great  body  of  Christian  professors  of  the  present 
day,  they  blended  their  religion  with  their  principles  of  Avar ; 
and  so  acted  on  the  system  of  defensive  preparation,  upon 
the  supposition  that,  among  the  savage  tribes  of  America, 
it  was  absolutely  necessary  for  their  safety  and  protection. 
Whenever  they  settled  doAvn,  they  were  careful  to  build 
forts,  and  fortify  their  habitations  with  stockades  or  palisa- 
does  ; to  be  well  provided  Avith  arms  and  ammunition  ; and, 
tho  unmolested , to  keep  a nightly  guard . Considering  them- 
selves in  an  unsettled  wilderness,  filled  and  surrounded  Avith 
a warlike  race  of  saArages,  they  supposed  these  measures  the 
best  policy  they  could  pursue  in  their  new  situation.  Thus 
they  put  themselves  in  the  attitude  of  war,  tho  no  injury  had 
then  been  offered  by  the  natives. 


101 


At  length  complaint  was  made,  that  some  of  the  settlers 
had  been  killed  by  the  Indians.  New  orders  were  imme- 
diately issued ; — the  murderers  must  be  pursued,  and  great- 
er preparations  made  for  defence.  Tho  we  have  had  many 
accounts  of  the  Indian  depredations  and  murders,  we  hear 
very  little  about  the  provocation  given  them  by  the  whites. 
But  admitting  that  the  whites,  as  individuals,  had  given  the 
Indians  no  provocation;  it  certainly  must  have  been  very 
alarming  to  them,  to  see  these  strange  foreigners  come 
and  settle  themselves  in  their  country,  with  all  these  signs 
and  symptoms  of  war.  What  could  excite  their  fears  and 
their  jealousy  more  than  this  ? They  could  not  suppose  these 
warlike  preparations  were  made  without  some  object ; — and 
what  object  could  they  have  in  view,  but  to  kill  and  drive 
the  red  men  from  their  native  soil  and  take  it  to  themselves  ? 

So  reasoned  the  savages  ; and  what  other  inference  could 
they  draw  from  these  warlike  preparations  ? Certainly  they 
could  draw  no  inference  in  favor  of  a peaceable  disposition, 
on  the  part  of  the  settlers . W ar  followed  of  course . Many 
were  slain,  and  captives  taken  on  both  sides.  Those  taken 
by  the  Indians  were  barbarously  treated ; nor  could  such 
treatment  from  savages  be  Avondered  at : for  they  consider- 
ed it  a war  of  extermination,  in  which  every  thing  was  at 
stake  with  them  ; and  they  could  see  no  better  treatment, 
on  the  part  of  the  whites,  towards  their  countrymen . They 
beheaded  the  chiefs  Avhom  they  took  in  war  ; killed  the 
male  captives,  and  enslaved  the  women  and  children.  Such 
treatment  as  this  naturally  increased  the  enmity  of  both 
parties ; so  that  war  followed  war,  and  cruelties  increased 
upon  cruelties,  attended  with  vast  expense  of  property,  and 
the  loss  of  thousands  of  lives.  We  find  through  the  whole 
history  of  the  settlement  of  the  American  colonies,  where 
this  Avar  policy  was  pursued,  it  produced  one  continued  scene 
of  warfare  between  the  settlers  and  the  natives  ; and  the  en- 
mity produced  thereby  is  not  eradicated  from  the  breasts  of 
the  savages,  even  to  this  day. 

The  expense  of  obtaining  these  bloodstained  colonies,  was 
perhaps  a hundred  fold  greater,  in  proportion  to  the  extent 
of  territory  acquired,  than  that  by  which  William  Penn, 
and  his  pacific  followers,  obtained  the  province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania ; without  reckoning  the  numerous  lives  that  were  lost, 
and  the  enormous  load  of  guilt  incurred  by  these  professed 
Christian  settlers,  for  their  horrid  injustice  to  these  wild  chil- 
dren of  nature,  who  were  in  fact,  the  primitive  and  rightful 
owners  of  the  soil. 


12 


102 


All  this  was  wisely  prevented  in  Pennsylvania,  by  the 
honest  and  upright  conduct  of  William  Penn,  and  his  peace- 
ful colonists  ; so  that  during  the  long  period  of  seventy  ye;ys, 
in  which  the  Quakers  held  the  government  of  that  colony, 
they  lived  in  perfect  peace  with  the  natives.  Yet  they  had 
the  same  savage  Indians  to  deal  with,  the  same  ferocious  and 
barbarous  passions  to  guard  against,  and  were  in  a much 
more  exposed  situation ; for  they  had  neither  sword  nor 
musket,  nor  fort  nor  stockade.  They  did  not  judge  it  ne- 
cessary to  have  soldiers,  nor  provide  ammunition,  nor  set  a 
guard.  They  spoke  the  language  of  peace  to  the  natives, 
and  proved  their  sincerity  and  honesty  by  their  pacific  con- 
duct and  defenceless  situation.  They  maintained  an  invari- 
able testimony  to  the  natives,  that  all  wars  were  unlawful 
and  wicked,  and  that  it  was  much  better  to  bear  injuries  pa- 
tiently, than  to  gratify  a principle  of  revenge. 

These  pacific  measures  and  corresponding  conduct,  on  the 
part  of  William  Penn  and  his  followers,  produced  their  pro- 
per effect  on  the  natives ; so  that  whatever  attacks  were 
made  upon  the  settlers  of  lands  in  their  neighborhood,  none 
was  ever  made  upon  those  who  settled  on  the  lands  pur- 
chased by  William  Penn.  And  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that 
so  great  was  the  confidence  of  the  various  tribes  of  Indians 
bordering  upon  Pennsylvania,  in  the  wisdom  and  justice  of 
the  Quakers,  that  in  matters  of  great  public  concern,  it  was 
common  for  them  to  send  deputies  to  the  Quakers  for  ad- 
vice ; and  they  have  been  prevailed  upon  to  relinquish  Avars 
Avhich  they  had  contemplated  to  make.  Such  has  been  the 
effect  of  pacific  principles  on  the  savages  of  America ; and 
such  we  find  to  be  the  difference  between  the  policy  of  war 
and  that  of  peace,  when  fairly  tested  by  their  different  effects. 

This  difference  was  still  more  remarkably  exemplified  in 
Pennsylvania,  after  the  government  of  that  colony  was  trans- 
ferred from  the  friends  and  followers  of  William  Penn,  and 
fell  into  the  hands  of  those  who  maintained  the  war  policy. 
This  hitherto  peaceful  pro\'ince  then  became,  for  a long 
season,  a scene  of  savage  Avarfare,  and  those  same  wildxbut 
previous  to  this  period,  peaceful  children  of  nature,  instead 
of  being  converted  to  the  benign  gospel  of  peace,  were,  by 
this  fatal  Avar-policy  of  professed  Christians,  transferred  into 
the  most  inveterate  enemies.  Driven  to  desperation  by  the 
fraud  and  oppression  of  their  white  neighbors,  it  was  but  na- 
tural for  them  to  wreak  their  vengeance  on  their  oppressors, 
to  the  full  extent  of  their  power.  Nor  did  they  surpass 
their  white  brethren  in  deeds  of  wanton  cruelty.  And 


103 


what  was  the  consequence  ? With  a vast  expense  of  trea- 
sure, and  a great  sacrifice  of* lives,  the  whites  succeeded  in 
exterminating  their  red  brethren  from  the  land  of  their  fa- 
thers, and  from  all  the  enjoyments  of  their  ancient  domi- 
nions. All  this  guilt  of  blood  and  waste  of  treasure,  might 
have  been  easily  spared,  had  the  just  and  pacific  principles 
of  William  Penn  been  continued  among  them.  Here  the 
widely  different  effects  between  pacific  and  hostile  principles 
must  be  obvious  and  indisputable,  having  been  thus  fairly- 
tested  under  the  influence  of  both  these  principles,  and 
upon  the  same  savage  Indians. 

THE  LOO-CHOO  ISLANDERS. 

The  inhabitants  of  these  islands  afford  another  remarka- 
ble instance  of  the  happy  effects  of  pacific  principles.  The 
Loo-Choo  islands  have  been  but  recently  discovered  by  Eu- 
ropeans. They  are  situated  in  the  Chinese  sea,  between 
26  and  27  degrees  of  north  latitude,  and  about  four  or  five 
hundred  miles  from  the  eastern  coast  of  China,  in  about  127 
degrees  east  longitude,. 

In  the  year  1816,  Lord  Amherst  was  sent  as  an  ambas- 
sador from  Great  Britain  to  China.  The  two  armed  ships, 
the  Alceste,  commanded  by  Capt.  Maxwell,  and  the  Lyra, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Hall,  after  landing  the  ambassador, 
visited  the  largest  of  these  islands,  called  the  Great  Loo- 
Choo.  After  the  ships  came  to  anchor,  many  of  the  na- 
tives came  on  board,  and  among  others,  a person  of  some 
rank,  who,  it  was  discovered,  could  understand  the  Chinese 
servant  whom  they  had  on  board.  This  opened  the  way 
for  communication  by  means  of  an  interpreter. 

The  next  morning  three  chiefs  came  on  board,  and  were 
conducted  into  the  cabin  and  introduced  to  Capt.  Maxwell. 
As  they  were  desirous  to  know  from  whence  the  ships 
came,  and  what  was  their  reason  for  coming  into  the  har- 
bor, Capt.  Maxwell  informed  them,  through  the  interpreter, 
that  the  ships  belonged  to  the  king  of  England  ; that  they 
had  been  to  China  with  an  ambassador,*  and  on  their  re- 
turn towards  Canton,  had  experienced  bad  weather,  and  had 
been  obliged  to  put  in  there  to  make  some  repairs,  and  to 
procure  supplies  of  fresh  provisions,  water  and  vegetables. 
This  intimation  induced  them  to  send  on  board  a party  of 
native  shipwrights  and  caulkers.  But  they  were  informed 


* They  had  been  up  the  Yellow  Sea,  where  they  had  landed  the  ambassador  on  hi* 
way  to  Pekin 


104 


that  they  had  carpenters  on  board,  and  that  they  only  want- 
ed an  asylum  while  making  their  repairs,  with  permission 
to  take  on  board  provisions  and  water.  Accordingly  a sup- 
ply of  bullocks,  pigs,  goats,  fowls,  and  vegetables  were  sent 
on  board.  This  supply  of  provisions  was  regularly  conti- 
nued during  the  whole  time  the  ships  continued  in  the  har- 
bor, which  was  six  weeks  ; and,  as  they  were  afterwards 
informed,  was  furnished  by  the  government ; nor  could  the 
chiefs  be  persuaded  to  receive  any  compensation  for  this,  or 
for  any  other  favor  which  had  been  granted. 

Captain  Maxwell,  in  a conference  with  the  chiefs,  in- 
formed them  that  it  would  be  necessary  to  land  a part  of  the 
ship’s  stores,  and  also  to  have  a party  on  shore  to  work. — 
Some  of  the  ship’s  crew  being  out  of  health,  permission  was 
also  requested  to  bring  them  on  shore  for  the  re-establish- 
ment of  their  health.  These  requests  being  communicated 
to  the  government,  and  permission  obtained,  a place  was  as- 
signed in  a convenient  enclosure,  surrounded  by  a wall  built 
of  coral  blocks,  twelve  feet  high,  and  containing  a large 
building  or  temple,  in  the  form  of  a Chinese  pagoda,  besides 
other  smaller  buildings,  very  well  adapted  to  the  present  oc- 
casion. The  temple  being  divided  into  various  apartments, 
a part  of  it  was  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  sick  and  their 
attendants.  At  the  gate  which  led  into  this  enclosure,  a no- 
tice was  affixed,  both  in  the  Loo-Choo  and  the  English 
language,  that  no  person  was  to  enter  without  a written  per- 
mission from  Capt.  Maxwell  or  from  one  of  the  chiefs. 

“ About  this  time  a mutual  friendship  began  to  exist  be- 
tween us,  and  confidence  took  place  of  timidity.  Many  of 
these  islanders  displayed  a spirit  of  intelligence  and  genius. 
They  all  seemed  to  be  gifted  with  a sort  of  politeness  which 
had  the  fairest  claim  to  be  termed  natural : for  there  was 
nothing  constrained,  nothing  stiff  or  studied  in  it.” — “ No- 
thing could  be  more  interesting,”  says  Capt.  Hall,  “ than 
to  observe  the  care  the  natives  took  of  the  sick  men.  They 
crowded  round  to  assist  them  out  of  the  boats,  and  carried 
those  who  were  confined  to  their  beds,  all  the  way  from  the 
beach  to  the  hospital.  A number  of  people  also  attended 
to  support  the  invalids,  who  had  barely  strength  to  walk ; 
and  others  were  happy  to  be  permitted  to  carry  the  clothes. 
No  sooner  were  the  sick  safely  lodged,  than  eggs,  milk, 
fowls,  and  vegetables,  all  ready  cooked,  were  brought  to 
them.” 

During  the  time  that  the  repairs  were  going  on,  Capt. 
Hall  was  sent  with  the  brig  Lyra  to  take  a survey  of  the 


105 


coasts  and  harbors  round  the  island.  On  his  return  he 
Writes  thus  : “I  was  glad  to  find  some  sick  men  of  my  ship 
touch  recovered,  and  very  grateful  for  the  kindness  of 
the  natives.  Milk,  eggs,  meat  and  vegetables,  had  been 
brought  to  them  every  day  ; and  whenever  they  felt  dispo- 
sed to  take  exercise,  were  sure  to  be  accompanied  by  one 
or  two  of  the  natives,  who  held  their  arms  and  helped  them 
up  the  steep  side  of  the  hill,  behind  the  hospital,  to  a plea- 
sant grassy  spot  on  the  summit,  and  having  lighted  pipes 
for  them,  remained  patiently  till  the  invalids  wished  to  re- 
turn. In  short,  I suppose  sailors  were  never  so  caressed 
before ; and  it  was  pleasing  to  observe  how  much  our  har- 
dy seamen  were  softened  by  such  gentle  intercourse  : for  it 
was  not  to  the  sick  alone  that  the  influence  of  this  unaffect- 
ed suavity  of  manners  extended.  The  whole  crews  of 
both  ships  participated  in  the  same  kindly  sentiment,  and 
laid  aside,  for  the  time,  all  their  habitual  roughness  of  man- 
ner, and  without  any  interference  on  the  part  of  the  officers, 
treated  the  natives,  at  all  times,  with  the  greatest  considera- 
tion and  kindness.” 

“ The  island  of  Loo-Choo  is  about  60  miles  long  and  20 
broad ; it  is  situated  in  the  happiest  climate  of  the  globe. — 
Refreshed  by  the  sea  breezes,  which  blow  over  it  at  every 
period  of  the  year,  it  is  free  from  the  extremes  of  heat  and 
cold,  which  oppress  many  other  countries.  The  people 
seemed  to  enjoy  robust  health  •.  for  we  observed  no  diseased 
objects,  nor  beggars  of  any  description.  The  administra- 
tion of  the  government  seems  to  partake  of  the  general  mild- 
ness of  the  people  ; and  yet  it  appears  highly  efficient,  from 
the  very  great  order  which  is  always  maintained,  and  the 
general  diffusion  of  happiness.  Crimes  are  said  to  be  very 
unfrequent  among  them,  and  they  seem  to  go  perfectly  un- 
armed.” 

Capt.  Hall,  in  speaking  of  an  excursion  among  the  inha- 
bitants in  a distant  part  of  the  island,  says,  u As  we  had 
not  seen  any  kind  of  military  weapons  at  Loo-Choo,  we 
looked  out  for  them  sharply  at  all  these  places.  The  na- 
tives always  declared  that  they  had  none,  and  their  beha- 
vior on  seeing  a musket  fired,  implied  an  ignorance  of  fire- 
arms ; — and  they  always  denied  having  any  knowledge  of 
war,  either  by  experience  or  tradition.” 

Some  of  the  officers  of  the  ships,  in  one  of  their  walks, 
greatly  surprised  the  natives  by  shooting  and  killing  several 
birds  on  the  wing.  In  the  course  of  the  day  the  chiefs 
came  to  Capt.  Maxwell  on  board  the  Alceste,  appearing  ve- 


106 


ry  unhappy  at  something  which  had  taken  place  ; and  yet 
seemed  fearful  of  giving  offence  by  mentioning  it.  “ After 
many  apologies,  and  much  to  Capt.  Maxwell’s  relief,  who 
feared  something  very  disastrous  had  occurred,  they  stated 
that  the  inhabitants  were  alarmed  by  all  this  firing,  and 
would  take  it  as  the  greatest  possible  kindness,  if  neither 
Capt.  Maxwell,  nor  any  of  his  officers,  would  in  future 
carry  fire-arms  on  shore.”  They  also  observed,  “ that  the 
natives  were  grieved  to  see  their  little  birds  shot.  Capt. 
Maxwell  hastened  to  assure  them  of  his  regret  for  what  had 
passed  ; and  to  set  their  minds  at  rest,  immediately,  and  in 
their  presence,  wrote  an  order,  forbidding  any  person  be- 
longing to  the  ships  to  fire  at  the  birds,  or  even  to  carry  a 
gun  during  our  stay  at  Loo-Choo.” 

“We  never  saw  any  punishment  inflicted  at  Loo-Choo  ; 
a tap  with  a fan  or  an  angry  look,  being  the  severest  chas- 
tisement ever  resorted  to,  at  least  as  far  as  we  ever  saw,  or 
could  hear  about.  In  giving  their  orders,  the  chiefs  were 
mild  in  manner  and  expression,  tho  quite  decided  ; and  the 
people  always  obeyed  them  with  alacrity  and  cheerfulness. 
There  seemed  to  exist  the  greatest  respect  and  confidence 
on  the  one  hand,  which  was  met  by  correspondent  considera- 
tion and  kind  feeling  on  the  other. — We  saw  nothing  like 
poverty  or  distress  of  any  kind  ; every  one  we  met  seemed 
contented  and  happy.” 

“ It  was  indeed  extremely  interesting  to  observe  how 
early  the  gentle  manners,  and  amiable  disposition  of  all  class- 
es of  society  at  Loo-Choo,  won  the  hearty  good  will  even 
of  our  rough  seamen.  From  the  very  first  hour  of  our  visit, 
by  a sort  of  universal  and  tacit  understanding,  which  render- 
ed orders  on  the  subject  unnecessary,  the  natives  were  treat- 
ed by  every  one,  not  only  with  kindness,  but  what  was 
more  remarkable,  with  entire  confidence.” 

“ That  proud  and  haughty  feeling  of  national  superiority, 
so  strongly  existing  among  the  common  class  of  British  sea- 
men, which  induces  them  to  hold  all  foreigners  cheap,  was, 
at  this  island,  completely  subdued  and  tamed  by  the  gentle 
manners  and  kind  behaviour  of  the  most  pacific  people  in  the 
world.  Altho  completely  intermixed,  and  often  working  to- 
gether, both  on  shore  and  on  board,  not  a single  quarrel  or 
complaint  took  place  on  either  side,  during  the  whole  of  our 
stay.  On  the  contrary,  each  succeeding  day  added  to  friend- 
ship and  cordiality.” 

“ During  our  intercourse  with  these  people,  there  never 
occurred  one  instance  of  theft,  altho  the  natives  were,  at  all 


107 


times,  permitted  to  come  on  board,  indiscriminately,  and  to 
go  into  the  cabins,  state-rooms,  or  wherever  else  they  thought 
fit,  without  being  watched.  On  shore  it  was  the  same, 
where  the  ship’s  stores  of  every  kind,  as  well  as  the  carpen- 
ter’s and  armourer’s  tools,  were  lying  about ; and  in  the  ob- 
servatory, the  instruments,  books  and  pencils,  were  merely 
placed  under  cover  to  shelter  them  from  the  dew,  but  under 
no  lock  and  key,  and  without  any  guard ; yet  not  a single 
article  was  taken  away,  tho  many  hundreds  of  people  were 
daily  admitted,  and  allowed  to  touch  and  examine  whatever 
they  pleased.” 

“The  period  of  our  departure  being  now  fixed,  all  our 
stores  were  embarked  on  the  evening  of  the  26th  of  Octo- 
ber. The  next  morning,  the  Loo-Choos,  as  a mark  of  re- 
spect, arrayed  themselves  in  their  best  apparel,  and  proceed- 
ing to  the  temple,  offered  up  to  their  gods,  a solemn  sacrifice, 
invoking  them  to  protect  the  Engelees , to  avert  every  dan- 
ger, and  restore  them  in  safety  to  their  own  land.  In  the 
manner  of  this  adieu,  there  was  an  air  of  sublimity  and  be- 
nevolence, by  far  more  touching  to  the  heart  than  the  most 
refined  compliments  of  a more  civilized  people.  It  was  the 
genuine  benignity  of  artless  nature,  and  of  primitive  inno- 
cence . Immediately  following  this  solemnity,  our  particular 
friends  crowded  on  board  to  shake  hands  and  say — F ARE- 
WELL  ! whilst  the  tears  whicb'many  of  them  shed,  evinced 
the  sincerity  of  their  attachment.” 

“ We  stood  out  seaward,  and  the  breeze  being  favorable, 
this  happy  island  soon  sunk  from  our  view  ; but  it  will  be 
long  remembered  by  the  officers  and  the  crews;  for  the 
kindness  and  hospitality  of  its  inhabitants  have  fixed  upon 
every  mind,  a deep  and  lasting  impression  of  gratitude  and 
esteem.” 

REMARKS  UPON  THE  PRECEDING. 

The  foregoing  account  presents  a practical  example  of 
peace,  in  a people  called  Pagans,  which  is  sufficient  to  teach 
professing  Christians  a lesson  of  wisdom,  far  superior  to  all 
the  maxims  in  favor  of  the  war  policy,  that  ever  were  ad- 
vanced by  any  Christian  nation  on  earth.  Indeed  it  affords 
a complete  refutation  of  that  erroneous  policy  which  teaches 
that,  “ the  surest  means  of  preserving  peace  is  to  be  pre- 
pared for  war.”  It  is  also  an  incontestible  proof,  that  a vir- 
tuous and  peaceable  spirit  is  not  only  able  to  preserve  the 
peace  of  a nation,  but  to  disarm  warriors  themselves  of  their 


108 

* 

accustomed  feelings  ofhostility.  If  “that  proud  and  haughtj 
feeling  of  national  superiority,  so  strongly  existing  among 
the  common  class  of  British  seamen,”  could  be  “ completely 
subdued  and  tamed  by  the  gentle  manners  and  kind  beha- 
viour” of  these  Pagans,  why  should  not  the  same  causei 
produce  the  same  effects,  between  nations  professing  the  mild 
and  pacific  principles  of  Christianity  ? Such  a conquest  ovei 
the  spirits  and  feelings  of  warriors,  could  never  be  achieved 
by  war.  Here,  for  the  first  time,  was  found  a race  of 
people  who,  from  time  immemorial,  without  any  warlike 
means,  had  preserved  peace  with  all  their  neighbours ; a 
people  who  lived  in  a state  of  peace  and  harmony  among 
themselves,  and  enjoyed  a degree  of  happiness  and  prosperity 
unknown  to  warring  nations. 

If  we  are  to  judge  by  the  accounts  given  of  these  people, 
we  must  believe  that  they  shame  tne  professed  Christian 
world,  with  all  their  boasted  privileges,  not  only  in  main- 
taining the  principles  of  peace,  but  in  the  practice  of  all  the 
moral  virtues  taught  by  the  gospel.  Their  government,  it 
appears,  was  supported  by  the  same  mild  and  peaceable 
spirit,  and  was  effective  in  its  operations,  in  maintaining  good 
order  without  the  aid  of  arms  ; so  that  crimes  were  very  un- 
frequent, and  there  was  no  appearance  of  theft  or  fraud  found 
among  them.  These  people  will  doubtless  be  called  idola- 
ters by  Christian  professors  ; because  they  had  pagan  temples 
among  them.  But  to  one  of  these  temples  the  British  were 
permitted  to  convey  their  sick  and  infirm ; and  there  these 
charitable  people  kindly  administered  to  their  necessities. 
Where  shall  we  find  a nation  of  Christians  who  will  do  like- 
wise ? 

What  a striking  contrast  appears  between  this  con- 
duct and  that  of  Christian  warriors,  who  often  pollute  the 
temples  of  each  other  with  the  implements  of  war,  and  the 
beasts  of  the  army  ; and  what  still  more  loudly  proclaims 
the  spirit  of  their  religion,  they  even  deposite  the  blood- 
stained trophies  of  the  sanguinary  field  in  their  own  temples, 
professedly  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the  Prince  of  Peace. 
How  comes  it  to  pass  that  these  Pagans  practice  so  much 
more  of  the  genuine  principles  of  Christianity,  than  those 
who  assume  the  Christian  name  ? The  answer  is  plain  and 
obvious : Because  they  have  never  been  corrupted  by  the 
spirit  and  principles  of  war  ; and  consequently  know  noth- 
ing of  its  pernicious  practices.  For  certain  it  is,  that  wrath, 
contention  and  strife,  thefts,  robberies  and  murders,  are  the 
fruits  of  the  spirit  of  war  ; and  where  that  spirit  is  entirely 


109 


subdued  in  a nation,  these  fruits  will  cease  to  grow,  as  cer- 
tainly as  a tree  will  cease  to  bear  fruit  when  it  is  cut  down. 

“ Mr.  Ellis,  the  English  missionary,  declared  that  he 
never  even  suspected  the  inconsistency  of  war  with  Chris- 
tianity, till  the  uncivilized  islanders,  to  whom  he  was  sent, 
came  and  proposed  the  destruction  of  all  their  weapons  of 
war,  saying,  ‘ When  we  have  embraced  this  gospel,  we- can 
never  use  them  again.’  Had  Christian  nations  been  as  much 
enlightened  to  their  highest  interests  and  duties,  as  these 
people  whom  we  call  savages,  the  promise  that,  ‘the  meek 
shall  inherit  the  earth,’  would  long  since  have  been  literally 
acomplished. — One  of  the  Chinese  emperors  refused  to  ad- 
mit the  missionaries  into  his  dominions  ; because,  said  he, 
that  wherever  Christians  came,  wars  and  desolation  soon 
followed.”* 

What  a pity  it  is,  that  heathens  and  savages,  so  called, 
should  be  so  much  better  able  to  understand  the  pacific  na- 
ture of  Christ’s  gospel,  than  those  nations  who  have  so  long 
enjoyed  the  light  of  Divine  Revelation,  and  made  such  high 
pretensions  of  superior  refinement  and  civilization  ! 

It  is  not  improbable  that  the  professed  Christian  world, 
in  their  zeal  for  foreign  missions,  will  ere  long  think  of  send- 
ing missionaries  to  teach  the  inhabitants  of  the  Loo-Choo 
islands  their  system  of  religion,  according  to  the  creeds  of 
the  sect  to  wdiich  these  missionaries  may  happen  to  belong. 
But  we  think  it  would  be  much  better  for  them  to  send  to 
Loo-Choo,  for  missionaries  to  teach  the  principles  and  prac- 
tice of  peace,  which  are  the  genuine  fruits  of  that  gospel 
which  warring  Christians  know  only  by  name.  If  Chris- 
tian nations,  in  a Christian  land,  are  so  destitute  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  peaceable  principles  of  the  gospel,  as  not 
to  know  how  to  live  in  peace,  we  would  advise  them  to 
send  their. ministers  of  religion,  together  with  those  whom 
they  design  for  statesmen  and  rulers,  to  Loo-Choo,  to  be 
taught  the  principles  of  peace,  and  to  learn  by  example  how 
to  practice  them.  And  if  a high-sounding  profession  of  the 
name  of  Christianity , which  is  destitute  of  the  spirit  of 
Christ , has  not  sunk  them  far  below  Pagans,  and  common 
British  seamen,  and  blinded  their  eyes  to  all  increasing  light, 
they  will  undoubtedly  learn,  that  the  principles  and  practice 
of  peace  can  exist,  and  be  fully  maintained  among  mankind , 
notwithstanding  they  have  been  so  long  taught  an  opposite 
doctrine  in  a Christian  land.  Could  this  be  done,  we  might 
indulge  a hope  that  wars  would  soon  cease : for  when  once 

* Address  of  E.  B.  Perkins — see  Harbinger  ofPeace,  No.  7.  p.  151. 


110 


the  rulers  and  leading  characters  of  nations  shall  be  govern- 
ed by  the  spirit  of  honesty,  peace  and  good  will,  wars  will 
cease,  and  there  will  then  be  no  more  necessity  of  wars 
among  nations  so  governed,  than  there  is  now  among  the 
Loo-Choo  Islanders. 

In  this  account  of  a people,  so  honorable  to  human  nature, 
we  have  a full  proof  of  these  important  facts : 1st.  That  the 
principles  of  war  are  not  inherent  in  the  constitution  of  man. 
2d.  That  warlike  principles  and  preparations  are  wholly  un- 
necessary for  the  protection  of  any  people.  3d.  That  the 
principles  of  peace  operate  far  more  powerfully,  for  the  be- 
nefit of  states  and  nations,  than  those  of  war,  and,  when 
properly  exercised,  will  disarm  the  most  powerful  warriors 
of  their  hostile  spirit,  and  bring  them  into  subjection  where 
actual  hostilities  cannot  do  it.  Hence  it  is  clearly  evident, 
that  the  spirit  of  peace  affords  a far  greater  protection,  and 
is  infinitely  more  beneficial  to  a nation,  than  the  spirit  of 
war,  with  all  its  multiplied  and  costly  preparations  and 
means  of  defence. 

CONCLUSION. 

In  the  well  authenticated  facts  contained  in  the  preceding 
pages,  concerning  the  protection  and  preservation  of  nations 
and  people,  who  have  been  ruled  and  governed  by  the  prin- 
ciples of  peace,  we  have  a fair  view  of  the  extraordinary 
effects  of  those  principles,  even  under  the  government  of 
Pagan  rulers.  And  whether  our  readers  have  any  belief  or 
confidence  in  the  miraculous  interposition  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence in  the  affairs  of  men,  or  not,  it  is  certain  that  the  spirit 
of  peace  has  always  been  the  same,  whenever  and  wherever 
it  has  been  properly  exercised : for  it  has  ever  produced  the 
same  effects,  and  doubtless  ever  will,  to  the  end  of  time. 

Let  the  candid  reader  examine,  with  an  unbiassed  mind, 
the  historical  facts  which  we  have  brought  to  view,  and 
candidly  reflect  on  the  subject,  and  he  will  undoubtedly  be 
convinced  that  wars,  unless  positively  known  to  be  author- 
ized by  Divine  Providence,  have  ultimately  failed  of  their 
professed  object ; that  they  have  never  operated  for  the  real 
benefit  of  any  nation ; but  on  the  contrary,  have  always 
been  attended  with  destruction  and  misery  in  proportion  to 
their  extent ; and  that  they  have  also  been  the  prolific  source 
of  all  manner  of  crimes,  and  have  caused  the  most  extensive 
depravity  of  morals  to  nations  ; and  finally,  have  brought 
the  .most  signal  judgments  of  God  upon  mankind.  And  if, 
in  some  instances,  the  ambitious  chief  who  waged  the  war, 


Ill 


has  obtained  the  object  of  his  ambition,  it  has  been  at  the 
expense  of  the  lives  of  his  subjects,  and  the  corruption  of 
their  moral  principles,  and  perhaps  the  infinite  loss  of  nu- 
merous innocent  families  of  his  own  subjects,  as  well  as 
those  of  his  enemy,  for  which  all  the  objects  of  his  ambition 
could  never  compensate.  On  the  contrary,  the  reader  will 
find  that  the  spirit  of  peace,  when  fairly  put  in  practice,  has 
never  failed  of  its  object ; but  has  proved  the  best  security 
of  nations,  the  surest  preservation  of  their  honor  and  inte- 
rests, and  the  greatest  source  of  national  happiness  and  pros- 
perity. 

Had  the  wise  policy  of  Numaand  Antoninus  been  adopt- 
ed and  pursued  by  the  rulers  of  nations,  from  that  period  to 
this,  wars  would  long  since  have  ceased  throughout  the 
civilized  world.  And  had  the  wise  and  pacific  conduct  of 
William  Penn  been  practiced  by  the  people  of  America,  from 
the  first  settlement  of  this  country,  wars  would  never  have 
been  known  between  them  and  the  natives  of  this  land  ; and 
yet  they  might  have  obtained  an  ample  supply  of  lands, 
without  the  expense  of  war,  or  the  sacrifice  of  life,  and 
have  proved  a real  blessing  instead  of  a curse  to  the  natives. 

Such  are  the  just  and  powerful  reasons  which  present 
themselves  to  the  view  of  mankind,  in  favor  of  the  principles 
and  practice  of  peace,  and  against  those  of  war.  And  yet 
such  is  the  blind  devotion  of  nations  and  governments  to  the 
spirit  and  principles  of  war,  even  in  countries  professing  Chris- 
tianity, that  many  millions  are  annually  expended,  even  in 
times  of  peace,  to  promote  this  object.  From  this  blind  de- 
votion to  the  god  of  war,  the  constituted  authorities  of  this 
land  of  liberal  principles  are  by  no  means  exempt.  Notwith- 
standing all  their  claims  to  Christianity,  and  all  their  pro- 
fessions of  religious  toleration,  they  still  demand  the  services 
of  the  conscientious  subjects  of  the  Prince  of  peace ; and  treat 
their  claims  to  religious  freedom,  and  exemption  from  the 
principles  of  war  and  bloodshed,  as  the  effects  of  fanaticism, 
or  the  foolish  chimeras  of  a disordered  mind. 

But  let  the  candid  reader  take  an  impartial  view  of  the 
facts  contained  in  these  pages,  and  carefully  examine  the  au- 
thorities on  which  they  are  founded  ; and  then  let  him  de- 
cide whose  conduct  savors  the  most  of  fanaticism,  and  men- 
tal disorder,  that  of  the  advocates  of  peace,  or  those  of  war. 
Will  he  not  be  ready  to  conclude,  that  he  who  still  con- 
tinues the  advocate  of  war,  after  a full  investigation  of  these 
indisputable  facts,  must  be  infatuated  with  something  worse 
than  maniac  madness  ? 


112 


We  live  in  an  age  which  boasts  much  of  intellectual 
light  and  liberal  principles  ; and  this  is  more  especially  the 
boast  of  Americans ; yet  this  maniac  madness  of  the  spirit 
of  war  still  continues  to  prevail,  even  in  this  far  famed  land 
of  liberty.  But  when  we  seethe  conscientious  advocates  of 
peace  claiming  the  free  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  their  re- 
ligious rights  and  privileges,  to  which  they  are  justly  enti- 
tled by  the  gift  of  Heaven,  and  the  free  institutions  cf  their 
country,  and  humbly  urging  their  honest  claims  for  an  ex- 
emption from  the  barbarous  laws  of  war,  yet  urging  in  vain 
against  the  hostile  decrees  of  the  spirit  of  war,  we  are 
prompted  to  ask,  where  we  shall  find  the  boasted  freedom, 
liberality  and  religious  toleration  of  our  land  ? and  we  are 
driven  to  the  sad  conclusion,  that  (at  least  with  regard  to 
tire  advocates  of  peace)  this  precious  boon  is  but  the  sound- 
ing boast , and  not  the  substantial  enjoyment  of  our  country. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 


Introduction, 5 

Part  I. 

Wars  before  the  Flood, 8 

Wars  after  the  Flood, 12 

The  kingdom  of  Egypt, 14 

The  Assyrian  Empire, 18 

The  Babylonian  Empire, 21 

A few  Reflections, 25 

The  Persian  Empire, 28 

The  Grecian  Empire, 30 

The  City  of  Tyre, 32 

The  City.of  Carthage, 33 

The  Roman  Empire, 34 

The  Saracen  Empire, 3S 

Empire  of  the  Tartars, 39 

The  Turkish  Empire, ........  40 

Recapitulation, 42 

Part  II. 

The  Principles  of  War  delu- 
sive,   47 

The  Israelites, 51 

King  David  and  his  Success- 
ors,   56 

King  Solomon, 57 


Page. 


Rehoboam,  59 

Asa, 60 

Jehosliaphat, 62 

Jekoram, 64 

Amaziah, 65 

Uzziah,  66 

Ahaz, 67 

Hezekiah, 68 

Mann^seh 70 

Josiah, 71 

Remarks  upon  the  history  of 

the  Jews, 72 

Alexander  the  Great, 74 

Pontius  Pilate, 7S 

Cains  Caligula, 79 

War  between  the  Jews  and 
Romans, 81 

Part  III. 

Peace  essential  to  Christianity,  86 

The  Chinese  Empire, 89 

Numa  Pompilius, 91 

Antoninus  Pius, 93 

William  Penn, 9.5 

The  Loo-Choo  Islanders,  ....  103 
Remarks  upon  the  preceding,.  107 
Conclusion,  . 110 


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